The Mosul offensive is sparking a humanitarian crisis. According to the International Organization for Migration, as of Thursday the current operation in and around the city has already forced over 5,600 people to flee their homes. Over one million people are believed to be trapped in Mosul.

The UN human rights office says ISIL is using 550 families from villages around Mosul as human shields. Between 3,500 and 5,000 ISIL militants are believed to be in Mosul but according to French president, Francois Hollande, many are already fleeing to Raqqa in Syria.