At least 10 civilians were killed and 34 others injured on Tuesday when mortar shells struck homes here amid an ongoing offensive to oust terrorist group 'The Islamic State; ISIS' from this northern Iraqi city, a medic told Anadolu Agency. Islamic State militants in Mosul are deliberately targeting civilians who refuse to join them as they retreat ahead of advancing Iraqi forces involved in a large-scale government operation to retake the militant-held city, an international watchdog said on Wednesday. The New York-based group said the fatalities incurred from IS mortar or sniper fire, car bombs, roadside bombings and direct attacks, as well as in airstrikes by the Iraqi forces and the U.S.-led coalition. The findings were based on interviews with more than 50 residents who had fled eastern Mosul, HRW said.
