Afghan Civilians Killed in Airstrike, US Military Admits
The US military confirmed on July 16th that a recent airstrike resulted in the deaths of eight civilians in Afghanistan. The incident happened in Farah province, with the airstrike taking place against what were thought to be insurgents at ground level.
The US military’s admittance of the act coincided with new reports emerging of more civilians having died in another part of Afghanistan.
Allied Convoy Attacked
The airstrike in question occurred on July 15th. An allied convoy, said the US, came under machine gun fire emanating from a series of nearby properties.
"The coalition convoy returned fire and called for close air support on the enemy positions”, a US military statement covering the deaths said.
It continued: “A house was hit; eight civilians were killed, two others injured.
"Coalition forces never intentionally target non-combatants, and deeply regret any occurrence such as this where civilians are killed and injured as a result of insurgent activity and actions."
According to officials in Afghanistan, the strike killed nine civilians, all of them part of one family.
The new raid saw four people killed, a member of the local police command stated. Those present at the scene described how, additionally, 17 individuals were injured and subsequently hospitalised.
Taliban Leaders
Today’s raid, according to the US military, was launched on “high priority Taliban targets”. Two leaders of the Taliban, it said, were killed, together with a “significant number of other insurgents.”
On the subject of civilian deaths, none, the military added, were evident on this occasion.
Afghan Civilian Fatalities
The topic of fatalities among the Afghan civilian population is a hugely sensitive one, with Hamid Karzai, the country’s President, having made repeated calls for more care to be taken.
Figures produced both by the United Nations, and by sources in Afghanistan, highlight how military personnel in the country have caused the deaths of over 800 civilians over the past 18 months.
Source – Armed Forces International’s US Correspondent
Recent related News Items:
Red Cross Afghan Civilian Fatalities Call
Eight Iraqi Civilians Killed in US Airstrike, say Police
Hellfire Missile Hits US Soldiers/ Civilians: US Military
US Soldiers Shot, Killed Iraqi Girl, says Military
US Military: Allied Iraqi Forces Killed During Attack
Nine Iraqi Civilians Killed in Raids, says US Military
