(CNN) Coalition strikes against ISIS in Iraq and Syria have likely killed
at least 352 civilians since the start of the operation almost three years ago,
the US military said
Sunday.
The numbers, contained in the monthly civilian casualty report of the
Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, extend through March.
Inherent Resolve is the US-led assault against the Islamic State that
kicked off in August 2014.
"We regret the unintentional loss of civilian lives resulting from
Coalition efforts to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria and express our deepest
sympathies to the families and others affected by these strikes," the task
force said in a statement.
The 352 deaths mark a significant increase over the 229 civilian deaths
that were counted through the end of February.
The latest report cited 45 newly confirmed deaths in nine new reports
from November through March. It also cited 80 civilian deaths that hadn't been
announced before. An audit concluded that previously incorrect reporting
resulted in a "net reduction of two deaths."
The military also said 42 reports of civilian casualties remain under
review, including several last month in Mosul where there have been reports of
many civilian deaths.
Seventeen new civilian casualty reports were deemed not credible. The
coalition has made more than 20,000 strikes through March 2017.
Commanders want to prevent civilian casualties.
"I think the principal way that we are addressing this is by
entrusting and enabling our very well-experienced and trained leaders on the
ground. They are the best guard against this," Gen. Joseph Votel,
commander of US Central Command, told lawmakers at a recent congressional
hearing.
#FlashbackFriday - One more example of how the #Coalition provides #ISF responsive air support in the fight to free #Mosul! #DefeatDaesh. pic.twitter.com/EnsdnqAe7B
— Inherent Resolve (@CJTFOIR) April 28, 2017
The US military says it works to review civilian death reports even
though it is unable to probe all reports with "traditional investigative
methods, such as interviewing witnesses and examining the site."
"The Coalition interviews pilots and other personnel involved in the
targeting process, reviews strike and surveillance video if available, and
analyzes information provided by government agencies, non-governmental
organizations, partner forces and traditional and social media," the task
force said.
Monitoring groups such as Airwars have issued higher civilian death estimates
than the Pentagon.
*CNN*
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