Baghdad: Iraqi police on Saturday said a US warplane has destroyed a house in Basra and killed eight civilians, including two women and one child.

The US military said it's looking into the report. It comes a day after the first American airstrikes were launched in Basra during a week-old offensive against Shiite militias.

A local policeman said seven others were wounded when the plane strafed a house in the Hananiyah neighbourhood.

The officer spoke on condition of anonymity because of security concerns. The American support comes as Iraqi troops have struggled against strong resistance in Basra that has sparked retaliatory clashes in Baghdad and other Shiite cities.
Source : PTI