Iraq's elite counterterrorism forces gather before the operation to re-take the Isis-held City of Mosul, outside Irbil, Iraq. Photo / AP / NZ Herald

Concerns for civilians as Iraqi forces launch assault on Mosul

Author: Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2016, 8:07AM

There's concern about the impact the battle of Mosul will have on civilians.

More than 100,000 Iraqi troops are trying to regain control of the Iraqi city from Islamic State, and it's thought a million civilians will be caught up in the fighting and try to flee the city.

Spokesperson for World Vision's Syrian Crisis, Chris Weeks, told Rachel Smalley they're particularly concerned about the impact the fighting will have on children.

"It's going to by noisy, it's going to be confusing, it's going to be frightening, and I imagine fleeing the city to unknown places after that is going to be even more frightening," he said.

Weeks said they also have concerns about civilians being screened when they get to the city's border.

"Our charity has some concerns about that, because we believe that children as young as 14 may be separated from their families for screening."

LISTEN ABOVE: Spokesperson for World Vision's Syrian Crisis, Chris Weeks, speaks with Rachel Smalley