U.S.-Led Coalition Air Strikes Kill 62 Syrian Soldiers

Washington Post: U.S. admits carrying out airstrike that Russia says killed 62 Syrian soldiers

A U.S. airstrike, targeting what were thought to be Islamic State militants in eastern Syria, instead hit Syrian military positions Saturday, killing what Russia and the Syrian government said were 62 soldiers and injuring about 100.

The U.S. Central Command acknowledged the strike, saying it was “halted immediately” when U.S. forces were informed by Russia “that it was possible the personnel and vehicles targeted were part of the Syrian military.” The command statement said Russia had been notified beforehand as a “professional courtesy” that U.S. aircraft would be in the area, but U.S. officials said no reply had been received.

A U.S. Defense official said the strike “appears to be an intelligence failure.”

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WNU Editor: This is as bad as it can get. If these were Russian troops .... there will be U.S. - Russian shooting war over the skies of Syria tonight. Where we stand now .... the Russian government believes these soldiers were deliberately targeted .... ‘US is defending ISIS’: Russia convenes UNSC meeting after US coalition strike on Syrian army (RT). There is going to be blow-back from this.

Update: reports are now saying that 80 Syrian soldiers were killed, and an indeterminate number injured .... US airstrikes at Syrian army kill 62 servicemen — spokesman (Sputnik).

More News On A U.S.-Led Coalition Air Strike That Killed 62 Syrian Soldiers

The Latest: US expresses regret over errant Syrian airstrike -- AP
U.S.-led forces strike Syrian troops, prompting emergency U.N. meeting -- Reuters
Coalition forces may have conducted air strike on Syrian military position: Pentagon -- AFP
US says it may have struck Syrian troops while targeting IS -- AP
Russia Says Syrian Regime Forces Targeted By US-led Coalition Airstrikes -- ABC News
Syria conflict: US air strikes 'kill dozens of government troops' -- BBC
Syria, Russia: Coalition airstrike kills regime forces -- CNN
U.S. Halts Airstrike Against Islamic State After Russians Say Syrian Forces Hit -- WSJ
U.S.-Led Airstrikes May Have Hit Syrian Troops; Russia Says 62 Dead -- NBC
US conveys 'regret' for anti-ISIS strike that killed Syrian forces, official says -- FOX News
UN Security Council to Hear Russian Complaint on US-led Syrian Airstrikes -- VOA
U.S. Admits It Bombed Syrian Troops -- Daily Beast