22 said killed in Iraqi strike on IS-held hospital

Defense Ministry denies the attack took place; deaths reported by local official in jihadist-run area near Fallujah

File: Gunmen patrol during clashes with Iraqi security forces in Fallujah, 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Baghdad, Iraq. (AP)
File: Gunmen patrol during clashes with Iraqi security forces in Fallujah, 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Baghdad, Iraq. (AP)

BAGHDAD (AP) — Local authorities in Iraq’s western Anbar province say government airstrikes have destroyed a women and children’s hospital in Islamic State-held territory near the city of Fallujah, killing several people.

The Anbar provincial council says Iraqi warplanes were targeting IS militants in the village of Nassaf, 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) south of Fallujah, when the hospital there was hit on Thursday.

A senior official overseeing operations at several Fallujah-area hospitals says at least 22 women and children were killed in the airstrike. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he’s not authorized to talk to reporters.

Yahya Rasool, a spokesman for the Iraqi Defense Ministry, rejected claims of the airstrike. He says Iraqi troops do not target hospitals and schools or other civilian facilities, even if they are occupied by militants.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.

Most Popular
read more:
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.