(VOVworld) - Twelve people, including women and children, are being treated for possible exposure to chemical weapons agents in Mosul, where Islamic State (ISIS) is fighting off an offensive by US-backed Iraqi forces, the United Nations said on Saturday.

Iraqi civilians flee homes when the government forces launched an operation to drive ISIS militants out of Mosul on March 3rd. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The UN’s World Health Organization (WHO) said it has activated with partners and local health authorities an emergency response plan to safely treat these victims who may be exposed to the highly toxic chemical.

The same day, Iraq’s Minister for Displacement and Migration strongly criticized UN for making little effort to aid civilians fleeing fighting in western Mosul. He said more than 50,000 people have fled the area since Iraqi forces launched an operation to retake Mosul. For its part, the UN said it is working as fast as possible to help those displaced.