U.S. Airstrike Kills Over 100 Civilians in Mosul, According to Pentagon

An ongoing investigation has discovered that more than 100 civilians were murdered after a United States airstrike bombed a building in Mosul, Iraq, earlier in March.  The probe observed that the bomb detonated “secondary explosions from devices clandestinely planted there by ISIS fighters.”  These explosions thus caused the building to collapse, killing many civilians.  As the largest incident of civilian deaths due to United States military action, Air Force Brigadier General Matthew Isler says that “101 civilians in the building were killed, and another four died in a nearby building.  36 civilians remain unaccounted for,” resulting in a total of 141 casualties.

These deaths represent a quarter of all civilian deaths from United States military action. Major General Joseph Martin, the commander of United States ground forces, says, “Our condolences go out to all those that were affected.  The Coalition takes every feasible measure to protect civilians from harm.  The best way to protect civilians is to defeat ISIS.”  United States Central Command initially denied that the U.S. conducted airstrikes in Mosul, but a week later they reportedly released a statement acknowledging the attack on ISIS fighters and equipment within the area.  With that, the United States military conducted its formal investigation.

            Courtney Kube of NBC News says, “Local residents reported that upwards of 200 people were killed in the strike, but the U.S. military has confirmed that between 137 and 140 civilians were likely present at the time of the strike.  Even the lower estimates of civilian deaths will likely make this the deadliest U.S. airstrike against civilians since they began flying in Iraq again in 2014—possibly even since 2003.”  After the strikes had ended, Major General Martin admitted that the United States airstrike may have played a role in a handful of civilian casualties, but the bomb was not intended to level the building, and the number of civilians in the area were likely gathered there by ISIS.

Regardless, the United States military states that it gives its condolences to the victims of the incident and will make “solatia” or payments if claims can be substantiated.  But, such claims have seldom been substantiated due to the conflict at hand.

Featured Image via Flickr/Tomas Del Coro