ISIS killed more than 200 civilians over three days, UN says

The ISIS killed more than 200 civilians over three days last week as they tried to flee fighting in western Mosul, Iraq.

The Office of the High Commissioner of the United Nations Human Rights office, citing "credible reports," said that at least 231 civilians were killed starting May 26, while also adding that the murder of civilians amounts to "war crimes."

The ISIS slaughtered 163 civilians on June 1 and left their bodies in the street for days, the UN said.

The militants also killed 27 people, including 14 women and five children.

The Iraqi government said more than 7,42,000 people have left Mosul and surrounding areas since the offensive began.

The United Nations migration agency warned last month that the number of people fleeing western Mosul is soaring.

"Shooting children as they try to run to safety with their families -- there are no words of condemnation strong enough for such despicable acts," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said in a statement, as reported by CNN.

"I call on the Iraqi authorities to ensure that those who are responsible for these horrors are held accountable and brought to justice in line with international human rights laws and standards. The victims of such terrible crimes must not be forgotten," he added.

Security forces launched a large-scale military operation late last month to reclaim the remaining ISIS-held neighbourhoods.