WASHINGTON, Oct 18 (APP/AFP): The Pentagon Tuesday accused Islamic State extremists of barring civilians from leaving Mosul and using them as human shields, as President Barack Obama warned of the potential for “significant” displacement. Authorities and aid agencies are bracing for a massive flow of civilians fleeing the northern Iraqi city as the fight to seize the last remaining IS stronghold in the country progresses. The battle, which began Monday, has focused on the villages surrounding Iraq’s second-largest city, most of which are traditionally Kurdish. Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said IS had for weeks kept Mosul’s estimated population of 1.5 million from escaping, with the start of the offensive offering them no respite. “We know they are being used as human shields, absolutely,” Davis said.
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IS trapping civilians in Mosul, Pentagon says
