Iraq denies airstrike caused civilian deaths in Mosul

 Iraq's military claims explosives rigged by the Islamic State -- rather than airstrikes -- killed civilians at a home in Mosul earlier this month.


On Sunday, the military said in a statement that experts checked a house "reportedly targeted by an airstrike and they found out that the house was completely destroyed and there was no sign that it was destroyed by a strike."

The Iraqi statement, obtained by the BBC, said investigators found "a huge detonated booby-trapped vehicle" near the house.

The statement said 61 dead bodies were pulled from under the rubble and 25 women and children had been rescued alive.

The military quoted eyewitnesses as saying the Islamic State used rigged explosives at homes occupied by families to fire at security forces.

On Saturday, defense departments from Iraq and the United States launched formal investigations into airstrikes between March 17 and 23 in the city's west side.
 [upi.com]
26/3/17
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