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WASHINGTON, March 25 (Xinhua) -- The Pentagon said on Saturday the U.S.-led coalition recently launched an airstrike on a site in Iraq where dozens of civilians were allegedly killed.
"An initial review of strike data from March 16-23 indicates that, at the request of the Iraqi Security Forces, the Coalition struck ISIS fighters and equipment, March 17, in West Mosul at the location corresponding to allegations of civilian casualties," U.S. Central Command said in a statement.
The statement said the coalition took allegations of civilian casualties seriously and was investigating the incident.
New York Times quoted U.S. Central Command spokesman John Thomas as saying that the coalition was probing to determine whether the explosion in Mosul, which allegedly killed scores of civilians, were caused by a U.S. or coalition airstrike, or a bomb placed by the Islamic State.
The United Nations on Saturday expressed profound concern over the recent reports of civilian casualties in Iraq.
"We are stunned by this terrible loss of life and wish to express our deepest condolences to the many families who have reportedly been impacted by this tragedy," Lise Grande, Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, said in a statement.
