Iraq News

Iraqi forces free dozens of families in Mosul

About 100 families living in areas still under "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) control in west Mosul have been evacuated on Thursday (June 8th), Iraq's Joint Operations Command said.

"Joint forces freed about 100 families in al-Zanjili and al-Shefaa neighbourhoods," command spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasul said in a press conference.

"Progress has also been made on the ground, and several buildings have been retaken in today's battles," he said.

"The international coalition has also targeted important ISIS sites in west Mosul, inflicting losses on the group," he said.

The UN rights office said Thursday it has credible reports that ISIS has killed more than 230 civilians trying to flee west Mosul since May 26th.

Human rights chief Zeid Raad al-Hussein had on Tuesday accused the extremists of killing 163 civilians on June 1st in al-Shefaa.

Thursday's statement detailed two new allegations, including a May 26th incident where ISIS reportedly shot dead 27 people trying to escape al-Shefaa, including five children.

On June 3rd, the group allegedly killed another 41 civilians in the same neighbourhood as they ran towards Iraqi troops, according to the rights office.

"Shooting children as they try to run to safety with their families – there are no words of condemnation strong enough for such despicable acts", al-Hussein said.

Targeting civilians "who are not directly taking part in hostilities, are war crimes", the statement added.

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