BAGHDAD

An Iraqi warplane on Monday accidentally bombed a number of residential homes east of capital Baghdad, killing four and injuring 11, due to what was described as a “technical failure,” an Iraqi government agency has reported.

"The bombing destroyed three homes in the area, resulting in at least four deaths and 11 injuries," an Iraqi army officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Anadolu Agency.

An Iraqi government agency responsible for issuing statements on military affairs, announced Monday that a “technical failure” had caused an Iraqi Sukhoi warplane, “which was returning from bombing operations against terrorist positions,” to malfunction.

It added: “During its return journey to base, a bomb fell on three homes in New Baghdad [east of the capital], leading to material and human losses.”

The statement went on to note that the Iraqi army had since opened an investigation into the matter.

The incident was confirmed to Anadolu Agency by a member of Iraq’s Civilian Defense Force, who said: “We are currently working to remove debris from the demolished homes.”

The Iraqi air force typically relies on Russian Sukhoi aircraft to target positions in northern and western Iraq held by the Daesh militant group.