MOSUL: SAVE THE CHILDREN WARNS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN AT RISK OF BECOMING HUMAN SHIELDS

Friday, 28 October 2016

Reports that the Islamic State group is using an estimated 20,000 children as human shields around Mosul are horrifying and illustrate the mortal danger and impossible choices that families trapped in and around Iraq’s second largest city face.

As the fighting continues to move closer to the city, Save the Children is warning that tens of thousands more children are facing the same threat.

There are around 600,000 children in Mosul and their families are being forced to choose between staying, and facing a multitude of dangers including being used as human shields, or fleeing and running a gauntlet of fighters, snipers and landmines.

Safe escape routes out of the city and other affected areas must be put in place as soon as possible.

All parties must ensure that civilians are protected and that international humanitarian and human rights law are adhered to. The wider international community should use its influence to guarantee that military tactics that adhere to international law are used.

Indiscriminate attacks on schools, hospitals and children should not be allowed to happen and vulnerable people and families on the move must be protected.

More than 1.2 million people are believed to be trapped inside Mosul city, at least half of them children, with thousands of families already fleeing from neighbouring villages.

For more information or interviews please contact:

Alun McDonald: +9647511354376 / alun.mcdonald@savethechildren.org

Simon Edmunds: +9647511354382 /s.edmunds@savethechildren.org.uk