U.S.-led coalition airstrikes in the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria's de facto capital in Syria are killing hundreds of civilians each month.
At least 725 civilians have been killed in coalition airstrikes since the offensive to retake Raqqa began June 6, said Airwars, a London-based monitoring organization.
Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, the top U.S. commander in the country, said the Pentagon was aware of the reports.
The coalition has beefed up its team investigating claims of civilian casualties. More than 270,000 people have fled Raqqa since the offensive began. At least 18,000 are believed to be trapped in the city.
More From Star Tribune
More From World
Business
Stock market today: Japan's Nikkei leads Asian market retreat as Middle East tensions flare
Asian stocks tumbled Friday, with Japan's Nikkei slumping 2.4% on heavy selling of semiconductor-related shares and other market heavyweights.
World
Iran fires air defense batteries at Isfahan air base and nuclear site after drones spotted
Iran fired air defenses at a major air base and a nuclear site near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones early Friday morning, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
World
Indonesians leave homes near erupting volcano and airport closes due to ash danger
Indonesian authorities closed an airport and residents left homes near an erupting volcano Thursday due to the dangers of spreading ash, falling rocks, hot volcanic clouds and the possibility of a tsunami.
World
5 Japanese workers narrowly escape suicide bombing that targeted their vehicle in Pakistan
A suicide bomber detonated his explosive-laden vest near a van carrying Japanese autoworkers, who narrowly escaped the attack Friday that wounded three bystanders in Pakistan's port city of Karachi, police said.
World
Laborers and street vendors in Mali find no respite as deadly heat wave surges through West Africa
Street vendors in Mali's capital of Bamako peddle water sachets, ubiquitous for this part of West Africa during the hottest months. This year, an unprecedented heat wave has led to a surge in deaths, experts say, warning of more scorching weather ahead as effects of climate change roil the continent.