ISIS Takes 50,000 Human Shields as Iraqi Forces Enter Fallujah

By Dustin Siggins Published on May 29, 2016

Approximately 50,000 civilians have been taken as captives and human shields by ISIS fighters as Iraqi forces attempt to retake the city of Fallujah.

According to The Mirror, the new Iraqi offensive in the ISIS-held city has killed at least 70 of the Islamic terrorists. As many as 800 civilians have escaped the fighting, but 50,000 were captured and are now being held by ISIS.

Matters are complicated by rumors that the city’s residents, who often identify as Sunni Muslims, prefer ISIS’ leadership to possible marginalization if put back under Iraq’s Shia government. The Associated Press reported on Thursday that residents have suffered under the terrorist organization’s control, including low supplies and malnutrition, especially since government forces had begun to set up for an offensive last year.

Fallujah has long been a focus of attention for U.S. and Iraqi forces after the 2003 U.S. invasion. Its residents backed an insurgency that led to two battles in 2004, and in 2012 Fallujah was the center of protests against the Iraqi government. Scores were killed and thousands were arrested.

ISIS forces took the city in 2014 as part of a major push across Iraq. That push has been reversed, and Fallujah is the next target for Iraqi forces.

As the new fighting entered its fifth day on Thursday, AP reported that 500 to 700 ISIS fighters remained, though The Mirror cited 1,700 fighters.

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