50 Afghan civilians killed in US-led action

MrBrianMrBrian Posts: 2,672
edited May 2007 in A Moving Train
Thursday May 3, 12:25 AM

Probes find 50 Afghan civilians killed in US-led action

HERAT, Afghanistan (AFP) - Afghan and UN investigations found that about 50 civilians, including many women and children, were killed in weekend fighting in western Afghanistan, officials said Wednesday

The US-led coalition has said it is not aware of any civilian deaths following the offensive, which involved intense bombing and ground fighting in the western province of Herat on Friday and Sunday.

Police inquiries showed 51 civilians were dead, the police spokesman for western Afghanistan, Akramudin Yawar, told AFP. This included "18 women and a number children," he said.

A team appointed by the provincial governor, Sayed Hussain Anwari, said 42 civilians were killed and 55 other civilians wounded, said the governor's spokeswoman Farzana Ahmadi.

Around 1,600 families had fled the area because of the fighting and 100 houses were damaged or destroyed, she said.

The figures are among the highest for civilians killed in military operations in Afghanistan.

Karzai summoned foreign military and diplomatic chiefs to his palace Wednesday, telling reporters afterwards civilian casualties were unacceptable and a "heavy burden".

"We can no longer accept civilian casualties," Karzai said after the meeting, which included the top US commander in Afghanistan, General Dan McNeil of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), and US ambassador William B. Wood.

"We are very sorry when an international coalition forces, NATO soldier loses life or is wounded ... But Afghans are human beings too," he said.

"What we are seeking is value to Afghan lives," he said.

A spokesman for the US Central Command told AFP Tuesday it had received no reports of civilian casualties in the fighting.

"Every precaution was taken to prevent injury to Afghan civilians during both battles, and no civilian casualties were reported," said Major David Small.

"If any reports are made through official channels, they will be investigated," he said, adding that to his knowledge no investigation into alleged civilian deaths was under way.

President Hamid Karzai said in Kabul Wednesday civilians casualties in the military operations were unacceptable.
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