Mosul explosion

MOSUL: The senior US commander in Iraq acknowledged yesterday that the US-led coalition probably had a role in an explosion in Mosul believed to have killed civilians, but said Islamic State could also be to blame.

Lieutenant-General Stephen Townsend said increases in casualties were to be expected as the war against the insurgents entered its deadliest phase in the cramped, narrow streets of Mosul’s Old City.

One line of investigation is whether Islamic State rigged explosives that ultimately caused the March 17 blast.

“My initial assessment is that we probably had a role in these casualties,” Townsend said.