American military commanders in Iraq are investigating what Iraqis say was a deadly attack by U.S. warplanes on civilians in a remote area of the country near the Syrian border.

Residents say the attack was unprovoked, but the American command in Baghdad says intelligence suggesting the area was a haven for foreign fighters was borne out by what was found on the ground.

Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt told reporters Thursday that American forces raided a suspected safe house for foreign fighters in the open desert near Syria and that aircraft were deployed. However, he said Washington decided to launch investigations on the incident after several media outlets raised suspicion over the matter.

Dubai-based Al Arabiya television, quoting eyewitnesses, said Wednesday that the raid on the village of Makr al-Deeb had decimated a wedding party and had killed at least 41 civilians.