Philippine military officials said Thursday one of their airstrikes meant to hit Islamic State-linked militants in the southern city of Marawi instead killed 10 soldiers and wounded seven others.
"The coordination was not properly done so we hit our own people," Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told reporters.
The errant bombing was one of several airstrikes the military conducted Wednesday as troops on the ground tried to dislodge the militants.
The violence in Marawi erupted last week when security forces tried to arrest Isnilon Hapilon, the so-called leader of Islamic State in the Philippines, and the fighters responded by taking over parts of Marawi and taking hostages.
Hapilon is one of the most wanted terrorists listed by the United States, which has posted a $5 million reward for his arrest.
The fighting in Marawi has killed at least 95 militants, 30 security forces and 19 civilians. Lorenzana said Thursday eight of the militants killed were foreigners, including Chechen and Arab fighters.
