Iraqi parliament speaker concerned over possible US airstrikes that killed at least 100 civilians

REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's parliament speaker has expressed concern over reports of airstrikes that have allegedly killed more than 100 civilians in western Mosul where U.S.-backed government troops are fighting the Islamic State group.

In tweets published on his official account, speaker Salim al-Jabouri said Saturday "we realize the huge responsibility the liberating forces shoulder" and call on them to "spare no effort to save the civilians." Al-Jabouri is a prominent Sunni Muslim politician in Iraq.

It was unclear who carried out the airstrikes, but on Friday the U.S.-led coalition fighting IS in Iraq and Syria said it was investigating the allegations. Residents reported two airstrikes hitting a residential area on March 13 and 17.

The Iraqi Defense Ministry has provided no immediate comment.

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