BAGHDAD (AFP) - - US forces accidentally killed nine Iraqi civilians, including a child, during raids against Al-Qaeda fighters south of Baghdad, the US military said on Monday.
The incident occurred on Saturday near the town of Iskandariyah, 50 kilometres (30 miles) south of the Iraqi capital, a military statement said.
Three more civilians including two children were wounded "as coalition forces pursued Al-Qaeda," it said.
Witnesses claimed 20 people, including 17 members of a single family, were killed in an air strike by US warplanes in the area.
"Shortly after the incident, coalition forces leaders met with a sheikh representing the citizens of the local area," the US statement said.
"The incident is under investigation. We offer our condolences to the families of those who were killed in this incident, and we mourn the loss of innocent civilian life."
The statement gave no further details.
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