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 Pentagon announced new long-term agreements with four defense companies May 13 to develop and produce large numbers of low-cost cruise missiles. And while the effort will focus mostly on the Army to start, it pairs with Air Force efforts to find more affordable munitions.