Islamic State fighters are using the civilian population as human shields as Iraqi and Kurdish forces close in on Mosul, and in some cases are executing civilians in an attempt make it appear as though Iraqi soldiers have been captured and killed, the Pentagon charged Tuesday.

“We have seen reports out of Mosul of these gruesome executions where civilians were taken and forcibly dressed in ISF uniforms, forcibly put into Iraqi military uniforms and publicly executed for propaganda purposes,” said Capt Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman.