United Nations has said, Islamic State, IS militants have abducted tens of thousands of civilians from around the Iraqi city of Mosul to use them as human shields. UN spokeswoman, Ravina Shamdasani, said in Geneva that, the IS is using women, men and children as human shields to render areas, or military forces immune from military operations.<br/><br/>She said, at least 232 people, mostly former Iraqi officers, were killed for refusing to follow orders from IS. Meanwhile, Iraq's Shia militia groups said, they have launched an attack against the IS militants in the west of Mosul, as the offensive to retake the city continues.<br/> <br/>Iraqi, Kurdish and allied forces, backed by US air power, have advanced in their push to retake Mosul, IS's de facto capital in Iraq. As many as 1.5 million people are believed to remain in Mosul.