US has accused Islamic State militants of using civilians as human shields as Iraqi forces move closer to the group's stronghold in Mosul. Around 7 lakh people are believed to remain in Mosul. <br/>US-backed coalition said, they have driven IS out of 10 villages. Government troops are moving up from the south while their Kurdish allies are approaching from the east in a two-pronged campaign which began on Monday.<br/><br/>US President Barack Obama has sought to allay concerns about an exodus of civilians from the area, saying plans and infrastructure are in place for dealing with a potential humanitarian crisis. Reuters news agency quoting residents said, IS was preventing people fleeing the city and had directed some of them towards buildings likely to be targeted by air strikes. The UN is working to create new refugee sites outside Mosul.