Top United Nations officials delivered another chilling assessment of the situation in Iraq as the brutal offensive by Islamic fighters persists, causing more than two million people to be displaced in the country. CCTV’s Liling Tan reported this story from New York.

“Monstrous” is how the United Nations Human Rights chief describes the crimes committed by Islamic fighters in Iraq. He warns that the brutality may qualify as international offenses such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

“The authors of these crimes are people whose actions are nothing but disgusting, and whose consciences have demonstrably been annihilated,” said U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.

Highlighting their atrocities, al-Hussein said the strategy to counter the fighters must go beyond a military approach and address the ideology of violence.

“Ultimately, support given to the ideological front may be more effective than airstrikes, in bringing an end to the longstanding suffering of the people of Iraq,” he said.

While the Islamic fighters bear responsibility for most of these crimes, officials said they are not the only perpetrators. There was also criticism against Iraq Security Forces and armed militias linked to the government for violence against civilians.

The U.N. Human Rights Office is also looking into the conduct of military operations including air strikes and shelling.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation remains dire for millions of internally displaced persons, or IDPs, with more food, fuel and warm clothing needed in the coming winter months.

Valerie Amos, the U.N. humanitarian chief said $173 million in winterization funding is urgently required in order to meet the needs of IDPs in the Kurdistan region and elsewhere.

“These needs are time sensitive and there is little room for delay,” she said.

Amos warned that the World Food Program needs $85 million in the next few days to prevent disrupting January’s food supply meant for two million people.

Tony Shaffer of Center for Advanced Defense Studies discusses foreign ISIL fighters

CCTV America was joined by Tony Shaffer, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and Senior Fellow at the London Center for Policy Research, and the Center for Advanced Defense Studies, to talk about foreign fighters in the self-proclaimed Islamic State.