Alwaght- The Human Rights Watch demanded an investigation over a recent US-led airstrike on the Iraqi city of Kirkuk.
Calling on all sides to be vigilant about safeguarding civilian lives, the group asked the Iraqi government to investigate the possible unlawfulness of the attack.
On 21 October 2016, the US-led coalition attacked a gathering of Shiite mourners in the Daquq town near Kirkuk that left at least 15 women dead and many others injured.
The US denied any role in the attack, however Russian reconnaissance detected coalition jets on the region.
"Even in the heat of battle, armed forces should take all feasible precautions to avoid harming civilians,” Lama Fakih, HRW’s deputy Middle East director, said Monday.
"Iraqi forces should investigate whether this was a possible unlawful airstrike that killed civilians and report their findings. If this turns out to be their fault, they should take appropriate measures to compensate the victims,” she added.
"All forces carrying out ground and air attacks should be extremely vigilant about taking all measures to minimize civilian casualties,” said Fakih. “Any mistakes, as we have seen, could be deadly".
HRW quoted residents as saying that the attack was an airstrike, noting that there were no apparent military targets in the vicinity.
