US Investigation into Civilian Deaths in Airstrike in Northern Syria

The US military has officially launched an investigation into the civilian deaths resulting from an airstrike in northern Syria, which is attributed to the coalition. The attack on July 20 occurred during advances by US-backed rebels towards the city of Manbij. At that time, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 'dozens' of civilians were killed in this airstrike, which appears to have been conducted by the US-led coalition against a village controlled by the 'Islamic State'. Colonel Christopher Garver, a spokesman for the US Central Command in Baghdad, stated on August 6 that the allegations regarding the July 20 attack are 'sufficiently credible' to warrant an investigation. However, the number of civilian casualties reported by various sources currently shows significant discrepancies; the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claims the death toll has reached at least 74. Colonel Garver mentioned he has seen reports indicating between 10 to 15 civilian casualties. It is unclear how many civilian victims the US military is investigating. The website 'Airwars', which monitors international airstrikes in Syria and Iraq, has listed the names of the deceased's relatives from various sources. The Guardian reports that Chris Woods, the lead researcher for this group in London, welcomed the US military's investigation but also expressed concern about the civilians caught in the crossfire during the battle for Manbij. The US military spokesman in Baghdad stated that the coalition has conducted 520 strikes in support of advances towards Manbij. According to Colonel Garver, they know exactly where the attacks have taken place. A report from the United Nations at the end of July estimated that between 30,000 to 40,000 civilians still remain in the city of Manbij. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights had previously expressed concern about the situation of civilians trapped during the battles in Manbij and its surroundings.