The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said
the majority of the deaths, 746, were Islamic State fighters and
that the actual figure could be much higher. Islamic State has
seized tracts of territory in Syria and neighboring Iraq, where
it has also been targeted by U.S.-led forces since July.
Eight of the civilians killed were children, the Observatory
said. It said 68 members of al Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front were
also killed in the air strikes, which started early on Sept. 23.
Coalition strikes have hit the Syrian provinces of Aleppo, Deir
al-Zor, Hasaka, Raqqa and Idlib, the Observatory said.
The United States has said it takes reports of civilian
casualties seriously and says it has a process to investigate
each allegation.
Washington justified its action in Syria under Article 51 of the
U.N. Charter, which covers an individual or collective right to
self-defense against armed attack.
Around 200,000 people have been killed in Syria's conflict,
which is now in its fourth year, according to the United
Nations.
(Reporting by Sylvia Westall; Editing by Toby Chopra)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
|
|