Islamic State is using civilians as bait for coalition air strikes to create public outcry as the offensive in Mosul continues.

Since the push began in February, it is estimated the number of IS fighters has been halved - leaving fewer than 1,000 remaining in the northern Iraqi city.

However, jihadists are now using more extreme tactics to protect themselves and the remaining areas they control.

Image: Civilians flee the fighting in the northern Iraqi city

Colonel Joe Scrocca, a spokesman for the Baghdad-based coalition, said: "What you see now is not the use of civilians as human shields.

"Now it's something much more sinister.


"ISIS is smuggling civilians so we won't see them and trying to bait the coalition to attack to take advantage of the public outcry and the terror.

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"For the first time we caught that on a video yesterday. Armed ISIS fighters forced civilians into a building, killing one who resisted, and then used this building against the CTS (Iraqi counter-terrorist forces)."

:: The Battle for Mosul: Sky News on the frontline

The US has acknowledged a coalition strike in Mosul earlier this month "probably" killed dozens of civilians.

And UN chief Antonio Guterres, who is visiting Iraq, has called for protection of civilians to be the "absolute priority".

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More than 200,000 people have fled west Mosul since the operation began - but around 600,000 civilians remain with 400,000 of those trapped in siege-like conditions in the Old City.

Officials and witnesses say air strikes have taken a devastating toll on those who remain.

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Mr Guterres said he would "focus on the dire humanitarian situation on the ground".

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During a meeting with prime minister Haider al-Abadi and president Fuad Masum, he said: "Iraq is in the final stages of its fight against terrorism.

"We are strongly hopeful that the liberation of Mosul will soon be completed."

Battle For Mosul: Sky News Special Programme

The fighting has inflicted heavy casualties on the Iraqi security forces, according to the head of US Central Command.

General Joseph Votel told a congressional committee that 490 Iraqi security personnel have been killed and more than 3,000 wounded in the battle for east Mosul, while 284 have been killed and more than 1,600 wounded in fighting for the west.

:: Watch Battle For Mosul: A special programme on Sky News tonight at 9.30pm.