The U.S. military says it regrets the loss of innocent life in airstrikes carried out in Afghanistan Friday during a search for missing American troops.
In a statement, the U.S. military said an unknown number of civilians were killed in the raids in Kunar province.
The provincial governor Assadulah Wafa says 17 civilians died. U.S. forces were in the area to search for a team of Navy SEALs that disappeared last Tuesday.
U.S. officials say one of those soldiers was rescued Sunday. But they say they cannot confirm reports from Afghan officials that a second member of the four-soldier team has been located.
A U.S. military helicopter sent to assist the unit on Tuesday was shot down by suspected Taleban militants, killing all 16 U.S. service members aboard.
Information for this report is provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
