Report: U.S.-led strikes in Syria have killed 52 civilians

The civilian death toll in the Syrian province of Aleppo has risen to 52, including seven children.

The British-based Observatory for Human Rights announced the figures on Saturday, saying a U.S. air raid on Friday had accidentally struck civilians in a village on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River. According to the Observatory's report, the attack killed members of at least six families.

Rami Abdulrahman, who runs the observatory, told Reuters that Friday's death toll marks the highest civilian loss from a single attack by U.S. and Arab forces since they began air strikes against Islamic militant groups, including ISIS, in Syria. Reuters notes that before Friday's attack, U.S.-led strikes had killed at least 66 Syrian civilians since Sept. 23. The new attack brings the civilian death toll to at least 118. The U.S. military did not confirm the Observatory's report but said it would look into the situation.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up