UN prepare for exodus from Mosul

The United Nations expect a huge number of people fleeing strikes as Iraqi forces launch an offensive to retake the city of Mosul on Islamic State.

It is not clear when the offensive begins. The UNHCR it is preparing to help people in their flight. There are several designated areas where new refugee camps may be arranged, although already certain is that there is not enough place for everybody to provide shelter.

Most of the one million inhabitants of the city remained when it was occupied by IS. The extremist fighters forbid to leave the population yet.