U.S. Military Says Iraqi Forces Killed In Friendly Fire Airstrike

Iraqi security forces take combat positions on the front line with Islamic State group militants in Ramadi, capital of Iraq's Anbar province.

Osama Sami / AP

U.S. military officials said Friday Iraqi soldiers were killed in an airstrike near Fallujah in the first known instance of friendly fire during Operation Inherent Resolve, the mission targeting ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

Coalition forces were conducting airstrikes in the region with Iraqi forces on the ground, when one of the strikes hit several of the soldiers there, according to a brief statement from the U.S.

Military officials said the strikes were done at the request of, and with information, from Iraqi security forces.

"Despite coordination with the Iraqi security forces on the ground, initial reports indicate the possibility one of the strikes resulted in the death of Iraqi soldiers," it said.

The statement did not say how many people were killed, but CBS News reported 10 soldiers were killed in the strikes.

Coalition forces have invited Iraqi officials to assist in their investigation.

"We take great measure to prevent these types of incidents while protecting our partnered forces," the statement said.

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