The United Nations condemned the "massive loss of civilian lives in western Mosul" in a statement on Tuesday.

UN Human Rights Chief Zeid Raad Al Hussein accused the so-called "Islamic State" (IS) of herding civilians into explosive-rigged buildings in the besieged Iraqi city to "compound devastation."

He said at least 307 civilians had been killed and 273 wounded in western Mosul since February 17 as IS fighters used civilians as human shields and fired on those who fled.

"This is an enemy that ruthlessly exploits civilians to serve its own ends, and clearly has not even the faintest qualm about deliberately placing them in danger," he said in a statement.

"It is vital that the Iraqi Security Forces and their coalition partners avoid this trap," he said, while calling for them to conduct transparent investigations into deadly incidents involving their forces.

Battle for Mosul: Iraqi army fights its way west Military target: west Mosul Iraqi troops and their allies gained control of the portion of Mosul on the eastern side of the Tigris River in January. Now they aim to free western Mosul, where around 2,000 jihadis are said to have entrenched themselves.

Battle for Mosul: Iraqi army fights its way west Airport assault Iraqi army soldiers took over Mosul's airport, providing them a gateway to the western part of the city. Holding the position will be crucial to Iraqi efforts to retake the rest of the Mosul.

Battle for Mosul: Iraqi army fights its way west Ground and airstrikes The army is not only advancing against IS with rockets, mortars and howitzers, they are also deploying drones, jets and helicopters to the frontlines. US soldiers are also participating in the battle.

Battle for Mosul: Iraqi army fights its way west IS goes underground A few thousands IS fighters are fighting against some 10,000 Iraqi troops. But, skilled in guerrilla tactics, the militants familiar with what's left of the city. Iraqi troops above inspect an IS tunnel used by fighters who have been ready to conduct suicide attacks against government soldiers.

Battle for Mosul: Iraqi army fights its way west A life in fear The situation has grown increasingly dramatic for the citizens of western Mosul. Around 750,000 people are still trapped there. They lack the most basic necessities as water, food and fuel are scarce commodities.

Battle for Mosul: Iraqi army fights its way west Forced from home This boy had to be evacuated from his village near Mosul. He is on his way to a relatively safe camp in the southern part of the city. UN aid organizations expect around 250,000 more people to flee the city.



Air strike or IS trap?

On March 17, an explosion in the al-Jadida district killed more than 200 people. Investigators were in Mosul on Tuesday to determine whether a coalition air strike or IS explosives caused the blast, a US military commander said.

Iraq's military command blamed militants for rigging the building with explosives to cause civilian casualties, but some witnesses said an air strike hit the building, burying many families under the rubble.

"It is very possible that Daesh (IS) blew up that building to blame it on the coalition in order to cause a delay in the offensive on Mosul and cause a delay in the use of coalition air strikes," US Army chief of staff Mark Milley said.

"It is possible that a coalition air strike did it. We don't know yet. There are investigators on the ground."

The Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights said since the campaign against western Mosul began, there were unconfirmed reports of nearly 700 civilians killed by coalition air strikes or IS action.

Inadequate care

Rights Group Amnesty International on Tuesday said the high civilian death toll suggested that coalition forces in Mosul failed to take adequate precautions to prevent civilian deaths.

"The fact that Iraqi authorities repeatedly advised civilians to remain at home instead of fleeing the area, indicates that coalition forces should have known that these strikes were likely to result in a significant numbers of civilian casualties," said Amnesty's Donatella Rovera, who carried out field investigations in Mosul.

Amnesty's report also cited a second strike on Saturday that it said killed "up to 150 people."

Evidence gathered on the ground in Mosul "points to an alarming pattern of US-led coalition airstrikes which have destroyed whole houses with entire families inside," the report stated.

Rambo mentality

Germany's Greens party leader Anton Hofreiter said on Tuesday that Germany should not take part in the "Rambo mentality" of the coalition forces.

The Bundeswehr supports coalition air raids on IS positions in Iraq and Syria from Turkey with Tornado reconnaissance aircraft and a tanker aircraft.

aw/rc (Reuters, dpa, AP)