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Defense Secretary says US, Iraq share blame in deadly friendly fire incident

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter says he’s been in-contact with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

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Friendly-fire incidents are already bad enough, but this latest incident could further suspicions some Iraqis – particularly those with close ties to Iran – hold about USA military intervention.

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Mr. Carter met with Mr. Abadi during a brief visit to Baghdad to assess the state of the campaign against the Islamic State.

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Forces from Iraq’s 3rd Division 55th Brigade had been advancing on Isis positions near the city, which is the extremist group’s main stronghold in Anbar province. “It is an indication that a major military operation to retake the city centre will start soon”, one officer said on condition of anonymity.

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In a statement on Saturday, Abadi’s office said the prime minister, while speaking with Carter, had called for “most accurate measures to be taken to avoid such painful incidents” as the friendly fire deaths.

Carter said he told Abadi that the United States was investigating and would work with the Iraqis.

The CENTCOM statement noted that all airstrikes are conducted with the approval of the Iraqi government, adding that it has “formally invited Iraqi participation in the investigation”. “But it’s also a reflection of how closely we are working with the government” of Iraq. He said it appeared a U.S. aircraft had carried out the air strike. “Despite coordination with the Iraqi security forces on the ground, initial reports indicate the possibility one of the strikes resulted in the death of Iraqi soldiers”, a statement said on Friday. The parliamentary Defense and Security Committee said it was demanding a “tough stance” from Iraq’s leadership.

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“We are fully committed to the safety of our Iraqi partners while pursuing the destruction of our mutual enemies”, U.S. Central Command said. He “did not have hard feelings about the incident”.

Iraqi soldiers. AFP file