US accepts its forces were behind airstrike on Mosul

Baghdad / AP

An airstrike targeting IS militants in the Iraqi city of Mosul that witnesses say killed at least 100 people was in fact launched by the US military, American officials said.
US officials did not confirm the reports of civilian casualties but opened an investigation. In the days following the March 17 airstrike, US officials had said they were unsure whether American forces were behind the attack.
The statement issued by the U.S.-led coalition said the airstrike had been requested by Iraqi security forces to target IS fighters and equipment “at the location corresponding to
allegations of civilian casualties.” U.S.-backed government
troops were fighting IS forces in that area of western Mosul, the statement said.