Iraqi airstrikes on marketplace leave over 150 civilian casualties

ANBAR, Iraq (Kurdistan24) – Three airstrikes on Wednesday by the Iraqi army on a marketplace in the town of al-Qaim left over 150 civilian casualties.

The airstrikes killed nearly 66 civilians and left over 90 people injured.

The bombings occurred as people were lined up at a municipal office in the town to receive their government pensions and salaries.

Women and children were reportedly among those killed by the airstrikes.

A spokesperson from a local hospital in the town told Iraqi media the death toll was expected to rise as people were pulled from the rubble.

A local Member of the Iraqi Parliament Ahmad al-Sulemani wrote on Twitter following the violence, “Government planes took part in the massacre of more than 60 civilians in al-Qaim.”

There was no comment or explanation from the Iraqi Ministry of Defense on the airstrikes.

However, the attack may have been “a result of faulty intelligence” in an area where Islamic State (IS) militants have passed through before, according to local media.

“To repeat the mistakes of bombing civilians is to discredit our troops,” Iraqi MP Mohammad al-Kabouli said on Wednesday.

Moreover, Kabouli called for a parliamentary investigation into the attack and explained lessons would be learned to avoid another tragedy.

“It raises questions [about] the accuracy of the intelligence coming from the joint operations command in identifying [IS] targets,” he continued.

Iraqi security forces are currently battling IS insurgents in the Anbar Province surrounding the town of al-Qaim.

The operation to liberate Mosul began on Oct. 17 but has slowed down since then due to the number of civilians who remain in the city.

Editing by Ava Homa