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Post by Jaga on Aug 24, 2008 8:48:35 GMT -7
This should be a big news showing that wars are cruel, but it is buried because of the presidential elections. More than 90 killed in coalition strikes: investigation HERAT, Afghanistan (AFP) — An investigation has found that more than 90 civilians, mostly women and children, were killed in coalition air strikes days ago, an Afghan government minister told AFP Sunday. President Hamid Karzai ordered the investigation into Friday's operation in the western province of Herat after Afghan officials said high numbers of civilians were killed but the US-led coalition said only 30 militants died. The toll is one of the highest for civilians since international troops arrived in Afghanistan to topple the hardline Taliban regime in late 2001 and comes after a string of such incidents, most of them involving air strikes. "We went to the area and found out that the bombardment was very heavy, lots of houses have been destroyed and more than 90 non-combatants including women, children and elderly people have died," the Islamic affairs minister told AFP after his visit to Shindand district earlier Sunday. "Most are women and children," said the minister, Nematullah Shahrani. Shahrani said his investigation was continuing and he was due to meet US Special Forces who had been involved in the operation with Afghan troops and commandos. ... afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5h0i7dG9vn5Ry5b3Ozk65tNprYtXQ
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Post by kaima on Aug 24, 2008 9:52:27 GMT -7
It is interesting that the Afghan investigation revealed 90 women and children dead while the US led coalition forces went on site and found only rebels / Taliban.
I would say that the Coalition needs to reorganize its bombing procedures. Either it is killing innocent civilians or not, but it certainly losing the hearts of the people with the conflicting information and news that the people are receiving. In other words, we are losing in either case.
Kai
***HERAT, Afghanistan (AFP) — An investigation has found that more than 90 civilians, mostly women and children, were killed in coalition air strikes days ago, an Afghan government minister told AFP Sunday.
Most of the roughly 15 houses destroyed were those of men who worked at the airstrip as security guards, district chief La'l Mohammad Omarzai told AFP.
And many of the dead had gathered to mark the 40th day since the killing of a militia commander in accordance with Afghan tradition, he said.
The US-led coalition has said it would also investigate but was confident it had only killed rebels because its troops had gone into the area and identified the bodies.
White House spokesman Tony Fratto said Sunday though: "We regret the loss of life among the innocent Afghans who we are committed to protect."***
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Post by karl on Aug 24, 2008 10:57:35 GMT -7
Well, not surprising but normal. The rebel forces are using civilian's as cover. This is a normal tactic used by un-conventional combatants.
It will continue until the civil population will no longer tolerate the presence of these freedom fighters, and refuse to them support.
Until hostilities are resolved, this will continue.
Karl
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Post by kaima on Aug 24, 2008 11:41:52 GMT -7
Very good point, Karl. However, 90 civilians is a large number, while the number of Taliban killed is not published. This is one the Taliban won in great fashion - the coalition has a very black eye and less friendship and cooperation with the civilian population - and they need the support of the population if they hope to 'win'. Kai Well, not surprising but normal. The rebel forces are using civilian's as cover. This is a normal tactic used by un-conventional combatants. It will continue until the civil population will no longer tolerate the presence of these freedom fighters, and refuse to them support. Until hostilities are resolved, this will continue. Karl
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