The Pentagon confirmed Tuesday evening that Syrian civilians may be among the casualties of recent U.S. airstrikes meant to target Islamic State members.
U.S. Central Command said strikes on Sept. 7, 10 and 12 may have unintentionally resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians, but did not disclose how many people may have been affected.
“In a strike on Sep. 7, near Dayz Az Zawr, Syria, on an ISIL target, what appeared to be a non-military vehicle drove into the target area after the weapon was released from the aircraft. In a different strike on Sep. 10, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, a strike against an ISIL target may have resulted in the death of civilians near where the strike occurred,” Central Command said in a statement. “In a third strike instance on Sep. 12, near Ash Shaddadah, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL target, what appeared to be a non-military vehicle drove into the target area after the weapon was released from the aircraft.”
CENTCOM said despite its measures to avoid hitting non-military targets, casualties are inevitable, but the Defense Department vowed to investigate the strikes to avoid future civilian casualties.
