UN: Over a million could be displaced by Mosul offensive

The United Nations says more than a million people could soon be displaced as a result of the fighting in Iraq.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric says that’s because the focus of military action in the country is turning to Mosul, the country’s second largest city.

Iraqi forces are conducting a series of small-scale operations around Mosul ahead of an eventual push to retake the city, which fell to the Islamic State group in 2014.

The U.N.’s refugee agency reports that up to 1.2 million people could be affected by the military offensive.

Dujarric said Tuesday that contingency plans have been drawn up to provide shelter assistance for up to 120,000 people fleeing Mosul and surrounding areas. Across the region, a series of camps are being established or expanded.