Home
US Commander Addresses Reports of Mosul Civilian Casualties
March 29, 2017 in Security
The death of innocent civilians during war is a terrible tragedy that weighs heavily on everyone, the commander of the coalition effort to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria told Pentagon reporters today.
Speaking from Baghdad via teleconference, Army Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, addressed reports of civilian casualties on March 17 in Mosul, Iraq.
Townsend said the coalition takes all casualty reports “very seriously” and uses a deliberate approach to assess every one and report the results publicly. Air Force Brig. Gen. Matthew C. Isler is leading a credibility assessment now under way on the reported civilian casualties, which could lead to a formal investigation, he added.
Conflicting Reports
“Right now there are a lot of conflicting reports [about] what brought down the building or buildings that caused civilian casualties,” Townsend said. “What we know for sure is we did conduct a strike in that area. What we don’t know for certain is if that strike is responsible for the casualties in question.”
The general noted reports that ISIS might have trapped civilians in a house and rigged it to blow up and that a secondary vehicle-borne homemade bomb might have destroyed the house.
“It could have been a combination of events that caused this tragedy, and that’s why we’re hesitant to say anything definitive until our proper process is completed,” Townsend said.
“I’ll say this: If we did it – and there’s a fair chance that we did – it was an unintentional accident of war, and we will transparently report it to you when we’re ready,” the general said.
Highest Regard For Civilians
The coalition freely and transparently takes on the responsibility to act in accordance with the law of armed conflict in all operations, Townsend told reporters.
March 29, 2017 in Security
The death of innocent civilians during war is a terrible tragedy that weighs heavily on everyone, the commander of the coalition effort to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria told Pentagon reporters today.
Speaking from Baghdad via teleconference, Army Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, addressed reports of civilian casualties on March 17 in Mosul, Iraq.
Townsend said the coalition takes all casualty reports “very seriously” and uses a deliberate approach to assess every one and report the results publicly. Air Force Brig. Gen. Matthew C. Isler is leading a credibility assessment now under way on the reported civilian casualties, which could lead to a formal investigation, he added.
Conflicting Reports
“Right now there are a lot of conflicting reports [about] what brought down the building or buildings that caused civilian casualties,” Townsend said. “What we know for sure is we did conduct a strike in that area. What we don’t know for certain is if that strike is responsible for the casualties in question.”
The general noted reports that ISIS might have trapped civilians in a house and rigged it to blow up and that a secondary vehicle-borne homemade bomb might have destroyed the house.
“It could have been a combination of events that caused this tragedy, and that’s why we’re hesitant to say anything definitive until our proper process is completed,” Townsend said.
“I’ll say this: If we did it – and there’s a fair chance that we did – it was an unintentional accident of war, and we will transparently report it to you when we’re ready,” the general said.
Highest Regard For Civilians
The coalition freely and transparently takes on the responsibility to act in accordance with the law of armed conflict in all operations, Townsend told reporters.
» The Central Bank of Iraq warns exchange companies that sell dollars to travelers from receiving a co
» Iraq under the microscope.. Will Baghdad succeed in avoiding regional conflict after the assassinati
» Al-Sudani makes a phone call to the Lebanese Prime Minister
» How will developments in Lebanon affect the Iraqi economy and the oil market?
» The position of the Speaker of Parliament and developments in the region on the table of Masoud Barz
» Targeting of an American base in Syria by Iraqi factions
» Official: Border shelling targeted Iraqi faction, reports of casualties
» How much is Iraq's external debt in light of the fluctuation in oil prices?
» Iraq is not far from war.. Will the factions enter into a confrontation with Israel?
» Outcomes of the Coordination Framework Meeting in the Presence of Al-Sudani
» Al-Sudani renews to Mikati Iraq's firm position in supporting Lebanon and standing with it
» Iraq's oil exports to US rise in a week
» 5 governorates on the 2025 service effort plan
» Dollar exchange rates in Iraqi stock exchanges today
» Drug Law Amendments: No Life Sentences Anymore... Trade and Agriculture Will Be Faced with "Death Pe
» A long-awaited historic position... When will the coalition forces leave Iraq?
» Warnings of an imminent economic danger... and the alternative solution is taxes!
» Dilapidated buildings and shortages... Iraq needs new schools!
» Iraq is the second Gulf country to award contracts worth more than $2 billion
» Intensive US movements on the Iraqi-Syrian border.. Where is the situation heading? - Urgent
» Iraqi Minister of Water Resources speaks to Al Jazeera Net about solutions to the water crisis
» utube MM&C 9/26/24 Iraq Dinar News-Iraq Plans Redenomination of Currency-Value of it Related-Elect
» utube 9/28/24 MM&C IQD Update News -Iraq PM - $83 Billion 3 Years - Stability - Global Contracts -
» Iraqi Foreign Ministry: Expanding the scope of war in the region leads to serious consequences
» /Information/ reveals the location of the Rafidain Bank robbers in Ramadi
» Al-Sudani Office for /Al-Maalouma/: Foreign workers threaten graduates
» Foreign Minister invites his Venezuelan counterpart to visit Baghdad
» "Government" real estate loans with amounts up to 150 million dinars.. Conditions and details
» Setting a date to launch 102 investment opportunities in Iraq
» Bitcoin Set to Post Best September Ever on Rate Cut
» What is the truth about the existence of a naval embargo imposed on Iraq?
» More than $70 million in Iraqi imports of Indian tea
» Oil price decline: Impact hits new groups in Iraq
» Parliamentary Finance to NINA: The decline in global oil prices will not affect employees’ salaries
» Al-Hakim: Investing in tourism as one of the sources of financial revenues for the state
» From Najaf Al-Ashraf.. The Minister of Labor announces the completion of the procedures for issuing
» Parliamentary Finance to NINA: The decline in global oil prices will not affect employees’ salaries
» 19,000 dinars difference from the official price.. The dollar falls slightly in Baghdad
» Al-Asadi: We call on citizens to invest in the retirement and social security law
» “Worth $4 billion”: Iran exports engineering services to Iraq
» US, Iraq agree to end 'alliance' in September 2025
» New tax will push house prices up, Iraq's real estate market into recession
» It is black and includes Iraq.. Netanyahu waves the “curse map” before the United Nations
» “The wiretapping scandal” complicates the political scene.. The second term is far from Al-Sudani
» Suspicions surround hospital projects.. Is corruption hindering the Chinese agreement in Iraq?
» Statement issued by the media office of Dr. Iyad Allawi
» Faeq Zidane: The jurisdiction of law and judiciary is a constitutional and legal jurisdiction
» Sudanese arrives in Baghdad
» Planning: Completion of 70% of inventory and numbering work in Kirkuk
» Rafidain Bank announces granting real estate loans to three categories
» Dollar price today
» Netanyahu enters with maps and attendees leave the General Assembly session.. What did he mention Ir
» The historic agreement on international withdrawal... a turning point in the path of Iraqi sovereign
» Includes citizens, employees and retirees.. A real estate loan from Rafidain worth 150 million dinar
» Does it include an American withdrawal? Two important indications in the statement "ending the missi
» Dollar exchange rates drop in Iraqi stock exchanges
» Will the drop in oil affect only employees' salaries or all segments of society?
» North Carolina removes 747,000 from voter rolls
» The full extent of the Biden-Harris criminal alien invasion REVEALED
» utube 9/24/24 MM&C Iraqi Dinar News-IRAQ-INTERNATIONALISM NY-2023 to 2029 Road Map - Social- Finan
» Hanoun calls for benefiting from the Chinese economic experience and linking the Silk Road between t
» Gulf-American statement directs a strict request to Iraq
» Conflict escalates in the Middle East, warning of Iraq slipping deeper into confrontation
» EU 'concerned' over increasing executions in Iraq
» Mustafa Sand: The judiciary has proven the “wiretapping” issue, and Al-Sudani’s brother is involved
» Parliamentary Committee Talks in Numbers About Iraq’s Water Crisis with Türkiye and Proposes a Solut
» Why did the Central Bank hesitate to implement the measures taken against Iraqi private banks?
» US State Department: Announcement of agreement on the future of the international coalition from Ira
» Housing Crisis in Iraq: “Ambitious” Government Plans and Fears of Monopoly
» Will privatization save Iraq's economy or open the door to corruption?
» Parliament: Agreement with the regional government to review its oil contracts to adapt them constit
» Interior Minister: Iraq is free of drug factories
» Anbar Alliance: Halbousi clings to power because he fears opening major files against him
» Rising prices of oil derivatives in Kurdistan.. reasons and goals
» Economist calls on the government to resort to tax exemption
» Iraqi Oil Company for Investment and Pricing of Raw Gas Produced
» Increase in activity at Mandali border crossing during the current year
» MP: New cities map will include eight governorates next year
» The Ministry of Finance confirms that the employee is entitled to university service allowances whil
» Media Commission and Starlink discuss cooperation prospects to provide internet services in Iraq
» Prime Minister: Iraq is witnessing an urban and economic renaissance and revitalization of the indus
» Kurdistan Finance announces the results of its delegation's recent visit to Baghdad
» "We will guarantee your rights".. A specialized committee reassures the drilling company's cadres af
» Iraq discusses cooperation with SpaceX to provide internet services
» Among them are young people.. the most prominent groups included in the distribution of housing unit
» Labor announces the direct transfer of 12 thousand beneficiaries to contracts in the Ministry of Int
» Al-Samarrai praises Al-Sudani’s speech before the United Nations: It is worthy of Iraq, its history
» Iraqi expert raises the principle of "no return" in Lebanon: We are facing the hypocrisy of the larg
» New tax will push house prices up, Iraq's real estate market into recession
» Iraqi oil returns to the red zone, affected by the collective decline in prices
» “Iraq at a Crossroads”… Will Climate Change Become an Opportunity for Innovation and Sustainability?
» Masrour Barzani to Parliamentary Finance: Halting oil exports caused Iraq to lose $19 billion
» 1291 projects stuck in Iraq.. achievements on paper and ruins on the ground!
» Violated Childhood.. Iraq suffers from the absence of law and the continuation of the cycle of viole
» Chinese Ambassador: We are determined to provide support to Iraq regarding armament and developing m
» Activating electronic services in the presidencies of the courts of appeal
» Trump threatens to turn Iran's largest cities into rubble.. Iraqi expert explains
» Parliamentary Finance Delegation Visits Kurdistan.. Salaries, Oil and Ports Files on the Table of Ba