Baku, December 20, AZERTAC
Nine Iraqi soldiers have been killed by “friendly fire” from US-led coalition aircraft during an assault on an Islamic State stronghold, according to The Guardian.
The Iraqi defence minister, Khaled al-Obeidi, told a news conference that coalition air forces were supporting ground troops near Falluja, a city 30 miles west of the capital, Baghdad, when the personnel, including an officer, were killed.
Forces from Iraq’s 3rd Division 55th Brigade had been advancing on Isis positions near the city, which is the extremist group’s main stronghold in Anbar province.
“The coalition air forces were covering the advance of army ground troops near Falluja because the Iraqi army helicopters were not able to fly due to the bad weather. The final death toll of the strike is nine soldiers killed, including an army officer,” Obeidi said.
