Cross link to:
http://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php/topic,140255.0.htmlUS military officials are investigating the reported friendly-fire incident in southern Afghanistan that killed five American soldiers and two Afghans.
Rear Adm John Kirby said the US had "reason to suspect that friendly fire is the cause here, specifically friendly fire from the air".
Adm Kirby said the Pentagon "would let investigators do their work".
Afghan officials say coalition forces had called for air support to fend off a Taliban ambush in Zabul province.
An Afghan soldier and an interpreter were killed in the incident.
On Tuesday, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said President Barack Obama had been informed of the deaths and that his thoughts and prayers were with the families of those killed.
"Our hearts here at the White House are heavy as a result of this loss," Mr Earnest said.
The incident is among the most serious cases of so-called "friendly fire" in Afghanistan, US military sources confirmed on Tuesday.
Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-27783969
