U.S. acknowledges forces behind airstrike on Mosul

At least 100 killed, possibly including civilians, in attack

BAGHDAD — An airstrike targeting Islamic State militants in the Iraqi city of Mosul that witnesses say killed at least 100 people was in fact launched by the U.S. military, American officials said on Saturday.

U.S. officials did not confirm the reports of civilian casualties but opened an investigation. In the days following the March 17 airstrike, U.S. officials said they were unsure whether American forces were behind the attack. ‘Commitment’ to Iraqis

The statement issued by the U.S.-led coalition said the airstrike had been requested by Iraqi security forces to target ISIS fighters and equipment “at the location corresponding to allegations of civilian casualties.” U.S.-backed government troops were fighting ISIS forces in that area of western Mosul, the statement said.

The coalition said it takes all allegations of civilian casualties seriously and a formal Civilian Casualty Credibility Assessment had been opened to determine the facts surrounding this strike and the validity of the allegation of civilian casualties.

“Our goal has always been for zero civilian casualties, but the coalition will not abandon our commitment to our Iraqi partners because of ISIS’s inhuman tactics terrorizing civilians, using human shields, and fighting from protected sites such as schools, hospitals, religious sites and civilian neighborhoods,” the coalition said.

Altaf Musani, representative of the World Health Organization in Iraq, said that the organization’s priority was quick treatment for those wounded.

“It is our understanding that there was an incident, and we have worked with the local health actors, and they have confirmed more than 100 are dead,” Musani said.

Musani said that since the operations in Mosul began in October, there have been at least 5,300 people referred to hospitals in and around the city.

“When you take a better look at what those numbers mean, what is worrying for the WHO and aid actors is that roughly 30 percent of the total numbers are women,” he said. “Roughly 30 percent of that large number are children under 15, and that is deeply concerning because of the capacities needed to treat those wounded coming out of the front lines.” Ideas explored

President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to dramatically ramp up the assault on Islamic State militants and has vowed to eradicate them.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis met in recent days with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Ababi and foreign ministers from the coalition partners at the State Department to explore new ideas to expand the fight against ISIS in Mosul.

Earlier Saturday, senior Sunni Muslim politicians expressed concern over reports that airstrikes allegedly killed the civilians. Residents reported two airstrikes hitting a residential area March 13 and 17. The Iraqi Defense Ministry has provided no comment.