US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter claims that the death of a number of Iraqi troops in a US airstrike against purported Daesh (ISIL) positions appeared to be a mistake involving both American and Iraqi forces.
The airstrike was “a mistake that involved both sides,” Carter said while speaking to reporters during a visit Saturday to the US amphibious assault ship, USS Kearsarge, in the Persian Gulf.
Carter also called Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and expressed his condolences.
Iraqi Defense Ministry has confirmed that an airstrike by the so-called US-led coalition against Daesh on Friday hit a convoy of Iraqi soldiers, killing or injuring ten forces near Fallujah.
Soldiers involved in the combat, however, said the death toll was higher. One officer injured in the strike, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said 25 soldiers were killed and 37 wounded.