American General: Coalition Likely Involved in Civilian Casualties in Al-Jadida, Mosul

A senior U.S. military official states that the coalition led by the U.S. "likely" played a role in an airstrike that resulted in civilian deaths in the Al-Jadida area of Mosul. General Stephen Townsend, commander of the joint operations against the "Islamic State," said on April 8 during a press conference at the U.S. Department of Defense, "Initial assessments indicate that we likely played a role in these casualties." Coalition officials had previously confirmed that their forces conducted an airstrike in a location in western Mosul on March 17. According to reports, this location was where eyewitnesses claim dozens of civilians were killed in the attack. U.S. officials have not confirmed reports of civilian casualties in the area but have announced the initiation of an investigation into the matter. Another report from the site indicates that near buildings where civilians were present, a vehicle filled with explosives belonging to ISIS was targeted, and its explosion apparently led to the destruction of civilian shelters. General Townsend, on Tuesday, rejected recent statements from Amnesty International regarding failures in safeguarding civilian lives. Amnesty International has urged the U.S.-led coalition to protect civilians during the battles against the so-called Islamic State in Mosul, Iraq. The United Nations announced on April 8 that over 300 civilians have lost their lives in the city of Mosul since the beginning of the latest phase of battles, which is focused on the densely populated areas of western Mosul. The operation to retake Mosul from ISIS began in October with the involvement of the Iraqi army, Kurdish Peshmerga forces, and government-aligned militias, supported by the U.S.-led coalition. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi officially announced the start of operations in the western part of the city on February 19. The capture of western Mosul by the Iraqi army would mean the complete liberation of the city. However, concerns have been raised about the status of civilians trapped in this densely populated area. Iraqi forces and the coalition have recently stated that they intend to adopt new measures to prevent civilian casualties. Mosul is the most important city in Iraq, which was captured three years ago during the advances of the so-called Islamic State. During this time, the group has committed various acts in this city and its surrounding areas, including the use of chemical weapons against Iraqi military and civilians, beheading Kurdish Peshmerga fighters and those suspected by the group, dissolving citizens in acid, using residents as human shields, and destroying historical monuments. In this context, the U.S. confirmed conducting an airstrike in an area of Mosul where civilian deaths have been reported. The American commander described civilian casualties in Mosul as a "horrific tragedy." The U.S. is sending fresh troops to Iraq. Amnesty International has called on the U.S.-led coalition to protect civilians in Mosul.