U.S. admits bombing Syrian forces by accident

Pentagon officials admitted this afternoon an airstrike intended for Islamic State terrorists might have unintentionally hit Syrian government forces. U.S. Central Command called off today’s air campaign after Russia condemned the attack. According to a Russian defense spokesman, the U.S. bombs killed 62 Syrian soldiers and wounded more than 100 others after landing on a military base. A Syrian government spokesman said the airstrike and resulting damage allowed Islamic State fighters in the region to advance toward the base. Today’s incident comes amid an already shaky cease-fire in Syria. Although much of the fighting has stopped, groups backing both sides have accused the other of violations. Syria’s state-run news agency claims rebels have violated the cease-fire 12 times, while the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said government forces killed five civilians in attacks today.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.