At Least 26 Civilians Killed in Airstrike in Syria

Observers of Syrian events report that at least 26 civilians have been killed in airstrikes apparently carried out by the U.S.-led coalition. A coalition spokesperson stated that investigations will be conducted following the receipt of details regarding the attack. Reports of the coalition's airstrike in Syria with civilian casualties emerged hours after the Syrian government accused the coalition of attacking one of its military bases, although U.S. officials have denied such an attack occurred. The U.S.-led coalition has been conducting airstrikes against the group known as the 'Islamic State' (ISIS) in Syria and Iraq for over a year. However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on December 7 that the bombing of the village of 'Al-Khan' in northeastern Syria left only civilian casualties this time. The group known as 'Islamic State' controls the outskirts of Al-Khan. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, among the dead are at least seven children and four women. This organization, based in London, has suggested that the number of casualties may increase, as the fate of some residents remains unknown. According to AFP, a spokesperson for the U.S.-led coalition stated that they currently have no details about the mentioned attack, but reports regarding civilian deaths will be evaluated. Last month, the U.S. announced that 'possibly' four civilians lost their lives during an airstrike against ISIS in Iraq. In November of last year, it was reported that 'accidentally' two children were killed during a coalition airstrike in Syria. In January of last year, the U.S. Department of Defense stated that its military was investigating certain coalition airstrikes in Syria and Iraq that may have resulted in civilian casualties. In this context, the 'Islamic State' executed 91 people in Syria last month, displacing 'tens of thousands more' following recent attacks by the army and Assad's allies, and there has been an 'increase' in attacks by branches of the 'Islamic State' over the past three months. In recent airstrikes in Syria, '12 hospitals' have been targeted.