U.S. military discloses civilian casualties in Islamic State fight (updated)

Avante

15/01/2016 15:25

(Adds details on U.S. military investigations) 
    WASHINGTON, Jan 15 (Reuters) - The U.S. military said on 
Friday eight civilians likely were killed and three wounded in 
air strikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria 
between April 12 and July 4 last year. 
    It was only the third time since the start of the U.S.-led 
air campaign against Islamic State in 2014 that the U.S. 
military's Central Commander has disclosed civilian casualties 
following its internal investigations. 
    It has previously reported a total of six civilian deaths in 
its air campaign. 
    U.S. military data shows there have been 9,627 U.S.-led 
coalition air strikes as of Jan. 13, with 6,393 in Iraq and 
3,234 in Syria. 
    "We continue to review additional claims of civilian 
casualties and will provide additional information in the 
future," Central Command said in a statement. 
    The latest eight civilian deaths occurred during five 
separate air strikes, including one on July 4 near al Raqqa, 
Islamic State's de facto capital in Syria. 
    The U.S. military said it was targeting a "high-value 
individual" when a car and a motorcycle entered the target area 
after the weapon was released. Three unidentified civilians were 
likely killed, it said. 
    Strikes against Islamic State tactical units killed three 
civilians on June 11 near Soluk, Syria, and another two on April 
12 near al Huwayjah, Iraq. 
    On June 19, a strike against two Islamic State vehicles near 
 Tall al Adwaniyah, Syria, injured a civilian who appeared in 
the target area after the U.S. aircraft released its weapon, the 
military said. 
    "In all of the cases released today, assessments determined 
that although the air strikes complied with the law of armed 
conflict and all appropriate precautions were taken, civilian 
casualties unfortunately did occur," it said. 
 
 (Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Bill Trott) 
 ((phillip.stewart@thomsonreuters.com; 1-202-898-8398; Reuters 
Messaging: phillip.stewart.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) 
 
Keywords: MIDEAST CRISIS/USA CASUALTIES