The US-led coalition targeting ISIS has determined that three airstrikes possibly resulted in civilian casualties in Iraq and Syria, and will further investigate three more. Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve received 18 reports of possible civilian casualties from airstrikes it conducted in October, according to a Thursday news release. Of those, 12 were determined to not be credible, three are viewed as credible, and three more need further investigation to determine if the claims are credible. The coalition, because it is unable to visit the site of airstrikes, investigates by interviewing aircrew, viewing surveillance and targeting video, and using open source and classified intelligence, the release states.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
