US CENTCOM to Review Measures for Reducing Civilian Casualties in Combat Operations

Moscow (ANTARA) - The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) will hold a one-day conference in October to discuss ways to reduce civilian casualties during combat operations, according to a report by The New York Times citing several sources.

The event will be held at CENTCOM headquarters in Tampa, Florida. Military intelligence analysts, operational personnel responsible for selecting and coordinating combat targets, former Pentagon advisers, and representatives from human rights organisations are expected to participate in the conference, the report published on Thursday added.

The conference is being organised amidst widespread criticism of US actions following a seven-month military campaign against Iran. According to human rights organisations, the number of civilian deaths in Iran has exceeded 1,700, including 168 children and 14 teachers who were killed in an attack on a school in Minab City on the first day of the conflict.

On 28 February, the United States and Israel began launching attacks on several targets in Iran, which subsequently triggered retaliatory strikes from Iran.

At present, the conflict remains unresolved, though both parties are not engaged in active combat, with the US relying on economic pressure.

The escalation of the conflict has practically halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a primary supply route for the world’s oil, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas.

As a result, fuel prices have increased in most countries.