The Pentagon Cannot Explain Why There Are Now Many Reports Of Civilian Casualties From Airstrikes In Iraq And Syria

Missy Ryan, Washington Post: After reports of civilian deaths, U.S. military struggles to defend air operations in war against militants

The Pentagon has struggled in recent weeks to effectively explain what lies behind a surge in reported civilian casualties in its air campaign against the Islamic State, fueling speculation that the new Trump administration is pursuing policies resulting in a greater loss of life.

Military officials insist there has been no significant change to the rules governing its air campaign in Iraq and Syria, and ­instead attribute the string of alleged deadly incidents to a new, more intense phase of the war, in which Islamic State fighters are making a final stand in densely populated areas such as the Iraqi city of Mosul.

But some in Iraq and Syria are left wondering whether the higher death count is a product of President Trump’s bare-knuckle military stance and his suggestions that the United States should “take out” militants’ families.

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WNU Editor: The battle has changed to intense urban warfare (i.e. Mosul) where there are heavy concentrations of civilians. With literally hundreds of civilians packed in basements and shelters in a small city block .... just one 500lb bomb going astray can be devastating.

Update: Do not take out from the ground an Iraqi flag .... it could be deadly .... 'ISIS fanatic' is blown up in a massive airstrike after he is spotted trying to wrench an Iraqi flag out of the ground in Mosul (Video) (Daily Mail).