When violence hits a city, people flee. But that can make them targets for terrorists to capture or kill.
That's what happened in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk in early August. The United Nations says ISIS took as many as 3,000 Iraqis into captivity. At least 12 were killed.
Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights put its estimate of the situation lower, at 1,900 people captured.
SEE MORE: A Record Number Of People Worldwide Are Displaced By Violence
While an increase in international efforts to retake cities might be good for the fight against terrorism overall, it's a lose-lose situation for civilians.
When U.S-backed Iraqi forces took back the city of Fallujah, ISIS threatened to use people as human shields. It's a technique the group has used since.
And all over Syria, fleeing a besieged city might be the only way to get aid like food — but that can be a deadly decision.
SEE MORE: Syria's Besieged Towns Remind Some Of A Conflict In The '90s
Of course, ISIS isn't the only terrorist group to capture vulnerable civilians.
Almost 10 million people in Iraq and Syria are currently displaced, and millions more are in need of aid.
This video includes clips from United Nations, Iraqi Ministry of Defense, Alaan, U.S. Department of Defense,Fallujah Channel, Darya Media Center and Medi 1 TV. Music provided courtesy of APM Music.
