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Dozens of civilians killed in air strike near Iraqi border with Syria – reports Dozens of civilians killed in air strike near Iraqi border with Syria – reports
(about 1 hour later)
Dozens of civilians were killed in an airstrike on the Islamic State-held town of Qaim in Iraq on Wednesday, local MPs and medics told Reuters, adding that many women and children were among the dead.Dozens of civilians were killed in an airstrike on the Islamic State-held town of Qaim in Iraq on Wednesday, local MPs and medics told Reuters, adding that many women and children were among the dead.
The airstrike reportedly hit a busy market in the small town, which is located in Anbar province, near the Syrian border.The airstrike reportedly hit a busy market in the small town, which is located in Anbar province, near the Syrian border.
Anbar lawmaker, Ahmed al-Salmani, and medical sources told Reuters that 55 civilians were killed. Anbar lawmaker, Ahmed Salmani, and medical sources both independently told Reuters that 55 civilians were killed. The medical sources said that there were three airstrikes, in which 12 women and 19 children died.
It is not yet clear whose planes carried out the reported strike. Another MP, Mohammed Karbouli, told the agency that, according to his information, 60 people had been killed, including some of his relatives.
Airstrikes against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) have previously been carried out by the US-led coalition, which is helping local security forces in their fight against the terrorists. While it is not yet clear whose planes carried out the reported strike, the US has already said that it play no part in them.
Salmani addressed Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in the wake of the airstrike, saying that the head of the Iraqi government must “stop the bombing and hold accountable the perpetrators of this massacre.”
Karbouli said that the incident throws the accuracy of intelligence used to target Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) into question.
The US-led coalition denied conducting any strikes in Qaim when questioned by RT.
"We have seen these reports and can confirm the coalition did not conduct those strikes near Al-Qaim," Jose Colon, Combined Joint Task Force Public Affairs Officer, said.
Qaim is located 280 kilometers away from the IS stronghold of Mosul where Iraqi forces launched a large-scale operation against the radical group in November.Airstrikes have previously been carried out by the US-led coalition, which is helping local security forces in their fight against the terrorists.
Last week, the coalition acknowledged that 54 civilians were “inadvertently killed” in seven of its strikes in Iraq and Syria between March and October this year.Last week, the coalition acknowledged that 54 civilians were “inadvertently killed” in seven of its strikes in Iraq and Syria between March and October this year.
The coalition said it makes “extraordinary” efforts to strike only military targets, but added that “in some cases casualties are unavoidable.”The coalition said it makes “extraordinary” efforts to strike only military targets, but added that “in some cases casualties are unavoidable.”
The deadliest strike happened on July 18 near Manbij in Syria when “up to 24 civilians who had been interspersed with combatants were inadvertently killed.”The deadliest strike happened on July 18 near Manbij in Syria when “up to 24 civilians who had been interspersed with combatants were inadvertently killed.”
The figures brought the official US-led coalition's civilian death toll to 173 since the start of the campaign two years ago.The figures brought the official US-led coalition's civilian death toll to 173 since the start of the campaign two years ago.
Earlier, Amnesty International said the US understated the civilian death toll, saying that at least 300 people were killed in 11 airstrikes probed by the group.Earlier, Amnesty International said the US understated the civilian death toll, saying that at least 300 people were killed in 11 airstrikes probed by the group.