ISIS mums ‘using their young children as live human shields’ in a chilling new tactic in the battle for Mosul

FEMALE ISIS fanatics are using their own kids as human shields while the extremist group mounts its last stand in Mosul’s Old City, according to Iraq's military.

The doomed death cult has also been taking civilians as hostages during the eight month battle to expel them in a sinister bid to slow down advancing Iraqi troops.

But it has now emerged that ISIS wives - who are also believed to be rigged up as suicide bombers - are reportedly fighting with their children by their side.

The disturbing situation is said to have come to light when Iraqi surveillance officers examined footage taken from the front lines.

Families of ISIS jihadis have fallen back to pockets in the Old City as they fanatically fight to the end.

Lieutenant General Sami al-Aridi of the Iraqi army said: “It’s making us hesitant to use airstrikes, to advance.

“If it weren’t for this we could be finished in just a few hours.”

Iraqi security forces expect to take full control of Mosul in the next hours as Islamic State's defensive lines collapse, state TV reported on Saturday.

Air raids and artillery salvos have been pounding the jihadists' last bastion in the Old City in Mosul as black smoke billowed over it, a Reuters TV crew said.

An Iraqi broadcaster announced: "It's a matter of hours.

"We are seeing now the last metres and then final victory will be announced," 

The channel's correspondents embedded with security forces battling in the Old City.

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