Centcom’s latest undercount of the number of civilians killed in United States airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq and Syria was released today, claiming only 14 civilians killed between July of 2015 and the end of April, bringing the official “overall” toll to 55 killed in the entire war.
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“We deeply regret the unintentional loss of life and injuries resulting from our airstrikes and express our sympathies to those affected”, said a statement from U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East.
The Islamic State terrorist group, outlawed in the United States, Russia and numerous other countries throughout the world, has taken control of vast areas in Iraq and Syria, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes.
Four more civilians died in Mosul on April 29 during strikes targeting the Australian Neil Prakash – considered to be an influential IS group recruiter – who also died in the bombardment.
On February 16, 2016, in Ar Rayhaniyah, Iraq near Mosul, during a strike on an ISIL vehicle, it was concluded that one person was injured along the side of the road.
The US military acknowledged Thursday that there may have been civilian deaths.
The announcement came just one day after a spokesman for the anti-Islamic State coalition said Central Command had launched a formal investigation into a July 19 coalition airstrike near Manbij, Syria that activist organizations have said killed scores of civilians.
The command, based in Tampa, Florida, says it will review all information, including details from third parties, to determine whether civilians were harmed.
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“We take all measures during the targeting process to avoid or minimize civilian casualties or collateral damage and to comply with the principles of the Law of Armed Conflict”, it stated.
