Washington: An airstrike by the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group killed 18 Syrian fighters allied with the United States, the military said Thursday.
The strike, on Tuesday in Tabqah, Syria, was the third time in a month that US-led airstrikes may have killed civilians or allies, and it comes even as the Pentagon is investigating two previous airstrikes that killed or wounded scores of civilians in a mosque complex in Syria and in a building in the west of Mosul, Iraq.
Tuesday's strike was requested by coalition allies who were on the ground near Tabqah, the US Central Command, which oversees combat operations in the Middle East, said in a statement. The fighters had called in the airstrikes and "identified the target location as an ISIS fighting position," it said, using another name for the Islamic State.
The Central Command statement said that the target location turned out to be a "fighting position" for the Syrian Democratic Forces, who have been fighting the Islamic State alongside the United States.
#1. "RE: Winning hearts and minds - NOT!" In response to Paul D (Reply # 0)
There is a common phrase (often attributed to Captain Bligh) that goes "The beatings will continue until morale improves." I think Trump is poised to use his own variation on this phrase:
"The bombings will continue until poll numbers improve."
#3. "RE: Winning hearts and minds - NOT!" In response to Paul D (Reply # 0)
Well, there is no doubt that this is horrible. However, friendly fire happens in EVERY WAR from the beginning of time. In fact, with the modern technology that this great nation has at its disposable, it is happening less than ever. Yes, it will continue. What are we suppose to do, stop defending our nation? I say, God bless those innocent lives straight to Heaven. Our choice: lay down our arms and let ISIS win, or, continue to defend the greatest nation that has saved the most lives EVER! Acadia