(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) An investigation into US airstrikes carried out in November 2014 against a network of al-Qaeda in Harim City, Syria concluded that the raids "likely resulted in the deaths of two non-combatant children," a statement from US Central Command (CENTCOM) revealed Thursday.
"Prior to the strikes, the Department of Defense conducted a thorough assessment, review, and validation process of the targeted buildings, and assessed that the Khorasan Group (of Al-Qaeda) was using them exclusively for military purposes. In that assessment process, there was no indication that there were children at any of the targeted buildings," said the statement.
The strikes also resulted in minor injuries to two non-combatant adults.
"We regret the unintentional loss of lives," said Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve Commander James Terry. The Coalition continues to take all reasonable measures during the targeting process to mitigate risks to non-combatants, and to comply with the principles of the Law of Armed Conflict."
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