35 civilians killed in US air strikes in Syria

damascus, July 29 (IANS) At least 35 civilians were killed in US-led air strikes near a town controlled by Islamic State (IS) militant group in Syria, the media reported on Friday.

The strikes, which targeted the town of Ghandur in the countryside of Manbej, were the third to hit civilians there since the Syrian Defence Forces and the US started operations against the IS in May, Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the air strike, saying seven children were among those killed.

Manbej has a strategic importance to the US-backed rebels due to its location near Turkey.

Capturing Manbej would deprive the IS from a key stronghold near Turkey.

“We can confirm the coalition conducted air strikes in the areas in the last 24 hours,” said the US central command late on Thursday, adding that the strikes “may have resulted in civilian casualties”.