The "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) is detaining about 5,000 families in Anah to use them as human shields and hinder the advance of Iraqi forces in western Anbar, the Anah city council said Tuesday (January 17th).
"After Iraqi forces approached the outskirts of town , ISIL detained about 5,000 families inside the city, prevented them from leaving and threatened anyone trying to escape with punishment, including death," council chief Abdul Karim Mahmoud said in a statement.
"The security forces and local government in Anbar have drawn up a plan that includes keeping civilians at home during the battles while opening various safe corridors for them," he said.
Instructions will be given in leaflets that will be airdropped on the province soon, he said.
