Iraqi government air strikes have destroyed a women and children's hospital in Islamic State-held territory near the city of Fallujah, killing several people, according to local authorities.

Anbar provincial council said Iraqi planes were targeting IS militants in the village of Nassaf, just south of Fallujah, when the hospital was hit.

A senior official overseeing operations at several Fallujah-area hospitals said at least 22 women and children were killed in the air strike.

Yahya Rasool, a spokesman for the Iraqi defence ministry, said Iraqi troops do not target hospitals and schools or other civilian facilities, even if they are occupied by militants.

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