An Iraqi drone strike has killed nine members of a pro-government militia force in an apparent case of so-called friendly fire.
The militiamen were part of the Hashid al-Shaabi, known as the Popular Mobilization Force, an umbrella group of mostly Iran-backed Shi'ite militias.
Ahmad al-Assadi, spokesman for the Hashid al-Shaabi, said the militiamen were responding to an Islamic State attack near the city of Tikrit.
"The initial report is that an Iraqi strike erroneously identified our forces as enemy forces and carried out a strike," he told AFP.
"The drone struck with a first missile and then two more seven minutes later," he said.
Assadi said 14 militiamen were also wounded.
The Islamic State group was defeated in Tikrit and most parts of Salaheddin Province last year but it maintains a presence in the desert regions.
Related
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
Exclusive: The TikTok Trail Of The U.S. Soldier Arrested In Russia Left By His Russian 'Wife'
2Kazakh Billionaire Buys English Soccer Club
3Russia Claims Control Over Eastern Ukrainian Town, As Rocket Strikes Kill 3
42 U.S. Citizens, Including Soldier, Join List Of Americans Being Held In Russia
5North Macedonia Ruling Party Concedes As Opposition Wins Dual Votes
6Kazakh Ex-Minister Insists In Court He Had No Intention To Kill Wife
7Chinese-Made Surveillance Cameras Are Spreading Across Eastern Europe, Despite Security Concerns
8All 5 Central Asian Leaders To Attend Victory Day Parade In Moscow
9Putin Inaugurated In Ceremony Marked By Western Boycott
10What Is Behind Serbia And China's 'Ironclad Friendship'?
Subscribe