Dozens of civilians were killed in a drone strike in eastern Afghanistan linked to U.S. forces Thursday, according to multiple reports, The Hill writes.
An official told the Associated Press that 16 died in the strike, while three Afghan officials told Reuters that at least 30 died. Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry confirmed the drone strike to Reuters without details of civilian casualties.
U.S. forces in Afghanistan said they carried out a strike in Nangarhar in an attempt to hit Islamic State positions.
“U.S. forces conducted a drone strike against Daesh [ISIS] terrorists in Nangarhar,” Col. Sonny Leggett, a spokesman for U.S. forces in Afghanistan, said in a statement to both outlets. “We are aware of allegations of the death of non-combatants and are working with local officials to determine the facts.”
Daesh insurgents first entered Afghanistan in 2014 and have since made inroads in the east and north of the country.
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