United Nations, United States: The UN deputy Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief voiced grave concern on Sunday at risks faced by civilians as operations to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul began.
"I am extremely concerned for the safety of up to 1.5 million people living in Mosul who may be impacted by military operations to retake the city from ISIL," Stephen O'Brien said, referring to ISIS.
He warned that "families are at extreme risk of being caught in cross-fire or targeted by snipers."
The northern city was where ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi publicly proclaimed a "caliphate" straddling Iraq and Syria in June 2014.
With the support of Iran and a US-led coalition, Iraqi forces have since regained much of the ground lost to ISIS. Mosul is the extremist group's last major stronghold in Iraq.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has said only government forces will enter Mosul, a Sunni-majority city that ISIS seized with relative ease partly amid local resentment towards the Shiite-dominated security forces.
"Depending on the intensity and scope of the fighting, as many as one million people may be forced to flee their homes in a worst-case scenario," O'Brien said in a UN statement.
Indeed, children and elderly are among those at greatest risk, he said.
"Tens of thousands of Iraqi girls, boys, women and men may be under siege or held as human shields. Thousands may be forcibly expelled or trapped between the fighting lines," O'Brien added.
US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said the operation was key to defeating the terrorist group.
"This is a decisive moment in the campaign to deliver ISIL a lasting defeat," Carter said in a statement.
"We are confident our Iraqi partners will prevail against our common enemy and free Mosul and the rest of Iraq from ISIL's hatred and brutality."
"I am extremely concerned for the safety of up to 1.5 million people living in Mosul who may be impacted by military operations to retake the city from ISIL," Stephen O'Brien said, referring to ISIS.
He warned that "families are at extreme risk of being caught in cross-fire or targeted by snipers."
With the support of Iran and a US-led coalition, Iraqi forces have since regained much of the ground lost to ISIS. Mosul is the extremist group's last major stronghold in Iraq.
Advertisement
"Depending on the intensity and scope of the fighting, as many as one million people may be forced to flee their homes in a worst-case scenario," O'Brien said in a UN statement.
Advertisement
"Tens of thousands of Iraqi girls, boys, women and men may be under siege or held as human shields. Thousands may be forcibly expelled or trapped between the fighting lines," O'Brien added.
Advertisement
"This is a decisive moment in the campaign to deliver ISIL a lasting defeat," Carter said in a statement.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
What Pak's Ex ISI Chief, Facing Court Martial, Is Accused Of Pak Ex ISI Chief Faiz Hameed Taken Into Army Custody Ahead Of Court Martial "Was Playing With Ideas": Lawyer Of Suspect In Taylor Swift Concert Attack Plot 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing Ayatollah Khamenei Warns Of "Divine Wrath" If Iran Backs Down Against Israel 9 Arrested For Violence At Kolkata Hospital Where Doctor Was Raped-Murdered Why Do You Get More Mosquito Bites Than Others? It Could Be Your Diet Water On Mars: Uncovering All The Locations Water Was Found On Red Planet Huge Participation At Independence Day Celebrations By Army's Spear Corps Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.