UK drones involved in 'mistaken' Syria airstrike

LONDON

A British unmanned drone was involved in last weekend’s airstrike which reportedly killed more than 60 Syrian regime troops, the U.K. announced on Monday.

The U.K.’s defense ministry said it would “not intentionally” strike units loyal to the Bashar al-Assad regime after Russia accused the U.S.-led coalition of killing at least 62 Syrian government soldiers during Saturday’s operation near Deir ez-Zour, in eastern Syria.

Deir ez-Zour is the site of heavy fighting between Daesh and troops loyal to the Syrian president.

A U.K. Ministry of Defense spokesman said in a statement on Monday they were “fully co-operating with the coalition investigation".

“The U.K. would not intentionally target Syrian military units. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage,” he added.

Australia, Denmark and the United States were also involved in Saturday’s operation.

The United States said its air attack was “halted immediately when coalition officials were informed by Russia that it was possible that we were striking Syrian regime military personnel and vehicles.”

It also announced an investigation into the apparent mistake.

But U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Samantha Power also accused Russia of staging a “stunt” by failing to express outrage at earlier accidental airstrikes perpetrated by Syrian regime forces.