An Iraqi teenager was killed during an attack by coalition forces south of Samarra on Friday, officials said.

Apache pilots attacked six people digging on a road known to have a past history of bomb attacks on Iraq and coalition forces, according to a news release issued Saturday by Multi-National Corps—Iraq.

Iraqi and coalition soldiers were ordered to take a look at the area.

Forty people in a nearby house said six boys were digging roots for firewood. No one was detained and no evidence was found of bomb materials, officials said.

“Coalition forces sincerely regret when any innocent civilian is killed during our operations, and the boy’s family has our deepest condolences,” said Maj. Peggy Kageleiry, spokesperson for Multi- National Corps—Iraq.

“We only engage what we believe to be hostile threats and take every precaution to protect innocent civilians, specifically to minimize the chances of a tragedy like this,” she said.

The incident is under investigation.

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