Pentagon: ISIS Takes Civilians Hostage and Places Them in Coalition Crosshairs

The U.S. Department of Defense claims to have evidence that the Islamic State group is forcibly gathering civilians in a building and then deliberately placing them in the line of coalition airstrikes. This statement from a Pentagon official on April 10 follows the U.S. confirmation that a coalition airstrike in the al-Jadida area west of Mosul likely resulted in civilian casualties. A U.S. defense spokesperson announced on Thursday that the U.S. Army will soon release a video showing ISIS members forcibly gathering civilians in a building and then opening fire from there to draw coalition forces' attention. U.S. officials had confirmed on April 5 that coalition forces conducted an airstrike in a location west of Mosul, which eyewitnesses reported had resulted in at least 100 civilian deaths. At the same time, it was reported that a vehicle filled with explosives was likely present at the site of the attack, and its explosion led to the collapse of buildings where civilians were located. Ultimately, General Stephen Townsend, commander of the joint operations against the Islamic State, stated on April 8 during a press conference at the U.S. Department of Defense that initial assessments indicate the coalition may have played a role in these casualties. Several international organizations and groups within Iraq criticized the attack, with reports suggesting that civilian casualties could reach 240. Colonel Joe Scrocca, a spokesperson for the coalition, stated on April 10 that what the group known as the Islamic State is currently doing is 'no longer just using civilians as shields, but is far more sinister.' Colonel Scrocca mentioned that ISIS militants 'smuggle civilians into buildings to keep them hidden from our view.' This coalition official told reporters that efforts are underway to release a confidential video on this matter. Human Rights Watch, Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, Amnesty International, and several other organizations and individuals have called for greater protection of civilians during the Mosul liberation operations. The Mosul liberation operation, involving the Iraqi army, Kurdish Peshmerga, and government-aligned militias, with support from the U.S.-led coalition, began in October of last year. The beginning of a significant phase of this operation in the western part of the city was announced on February 19. The recapture of western Mosul by the Iraqi army would mean the complete liberation of the city. However, concerns about the situation of civilians trapped in this densely populated area have been raised for months. In this context, an American commander described civilian casualties in Mosul as a 'horrific tragedy.' The U.S. is sending fresh troops to Iraq. Amnesty International has urged the U.S.-led coalition to protect civilians in Mosul. An American general stated that the coalition likely played a role in civilian casualties in al-Jadida, Mosul.