ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The US-led coalition has continued its airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) militants following the accidental bombing and killing of scores of Syrian soldiers in the country’s eastern city of Deir Ezzor over the weekend.
The US Department of Defense webpage reported that on Sunday the coalition continued to target ISIS positions, destroying two “tactical vehicles” belonging to the group near Raqqa and seven oil tanker trucks near Deir Ezzor itself.
While most of the warplanes involved in the incident Saturday -- in which Russia said at least 62 Syrian soldiers were killed -- were American, there were also Australian coalition planes bombing ISIS in the area.
“As soon as the coalition were advised that there were Syrian government personnel that had been affected by the strike, the operation was discontinued,” Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told reporters after the incident.
“We regret the loss of life and injury to any Syrian personnel affected,” he added.
Australia will, along with the Americans, continue its bombing campaign against ISIS in Syria, the country’s defense minister, Marise Payne, confirmed.
“We will continue in an appropriate, measured way with the international coalition, to do what is required, but there has been no holders as such put on Australian activity,” Payne said.
She refused to answer questions about the extent of Australia’s involvement in the incident.
Australia bombs ISIS targets with F-18 jets it has deployed to the Middle East in support of the coalition. American aircraft involved in Saturday’s incident in Deir Ezzor were reportedly F-16 jets and A-10 ground attack aircraft.
The US Department of Defense webpage reported that on Sunday the coalition continued to target ISIS positions, destroying two “tactical vehicles” belonging to the group near Raqqa and seven oil tanker trucks near Deir Ezzor itself.
While most of the warplanes involved in the incident Saturday -- in which Russia said at least 62 Syrian soldiers were killed -- were American, there were also Australian coalition planes bombing ISIS in the area.
“As soon as the coalition were advised that there were Syrian government personnel that had been affected by the strike, the operation was discontinued,” Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told reporters after the incident.
“We regret the loss of life and injury to any Syrian personnel affected,” he added.
Australia will, along with the Americans, continue its bombing campaign against ISIS in Syria, the country’s defense minister, Marise Payne, confirmed.
“We will continue in an appropriate, measured way with the international coalition, to do what is required, but there has been no holders as such put on Australian activity,” Payne said.
She refused to answer questions about the extent of Australia’s involvement in the incident.
Australia bombs ISIS targets with F-18 jets it has deployed to the Middle East in support of the coalition. American aircraft involved in Saturday’s incident in Deir Ezzor were reportedly F-16 jets and A-10 ground attack aircraft.
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