IS slaughters children as they flee siege

CHILDREN trying to flee a besieged Iraqi city have been shot dead by Islamic State terrorists in a ‘significant escalation’ in civilian deaths, the UN has said.

It reported that more than 231 civilians trying to leave western Mosul, where pro-government forces are battling to drive out IS, have been killed since May 26. At least 204 of these deaths were over three days last week.

The UN human rights office said IS had used civilians as human shields and slaughtered those trying to flee since the start of the operation, but recent reports indicated ‘a significant escalation’.

‘Shooting children as they try to run to safety – there are no words of condemnation strong enough for such despicable acts,’ said UN human rights chief Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein.

‘I call on the Iraqi authorities to ensure that those who are responsible for these horrors are brought to justice.’