AP: Villagers Say Civilians Killed in U.S. Airstrike in So. Afghanistan

[Hissyspit]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBV7VQQ8CE.html

Villagers Say Civilians Killed in U.S. Airstrike in Southern Afghanistan
By Noor Khan
Associated Press Writer

QALAT, Afghanistan (AP) - Residents of a remote village in southern Afghanistan said Thursday that U.S. warplanes bombed houses during operations against militants this week, killing several civilians.
Zabul province Gov. Ali Khail said that U.S.-led coalition forces had "made a mistake" during recent operations in the province, but gave no details. "There were some casualties among villagers, but I don't know the exact number," he said.

The U.S. military denied that any civilians had been in the area of the fighting Monday in the Day Chopan district where the villagers come from. The military said earlier that 18 suspected insurgents and one U.S. service member were killed in a clash - one of five Americans to die in action in Afghanistan in the past week.

- snip -

"The children were crying and they were very afraid," said a weeping Sadia Bibi, 50. "These planes killed my relatives. We are poor and innocent people. Why are they killing us?"

Bibi's 20-year-old daughter Najiba Bibi and 18-month-old grandson were being treated at the hospital for injuries to their hands and legs, which she said had been struck by pieces of brick during the bombing. Both the woman and boy were bandaged. Bibi said her 55-year-old brother, Abdul Shakor, and his wife were killed along with a 16-year-old boy named Matiullah.

MORE AT LINK

[malaise]

1. Surprise

NOT - just collateral damage - who gives a damn about civilians in Afghanistan. Meanwhile back to Aruba, MJ, and oh yes Scott Peterson is back.

[niallmac]

2. Don't even hear "collateral damage" much anymore-

all our bombs and bullets go unerringly for the insurgents whatever the hell those are.
MSM protects us from the messy part.

[jarab]

3. kick

...O...

[sintax]

4. Airstrike May Have Killed Afghan Civilians

Airstrike May Have Killed Afghan Civilians

Thursday August 11, 2005 8:46 PM

By NOOR KHAN

Associated Press Writer

QALAT, Afghanistan (AP) - Afghan villagers said Thursday that U.S. warplanes had bombed houses, killing several civilians and wounding others, including an infant. U.S. forces suffered their sixth fatality in a week amid rising violence.

Zabul Gov. Ali Khail said U.S.-led coalition forces made ``a mistake'' during operations against militants in the southern province and that civilians had died. He gave no details.

The U.S. military denied civilians were at the scene of the fighting in Day Chopan district Monday and the district's police chief said Taliban insurgents had been hiding in the area. American officials said earlier that 18 suspected Taliban guerrillas and one U.S. service member had been killed in the clash.

Another U.S. service member died Thursday when militants ambushed a group of American military engineers near a road construction project in Paktika province. Another service member was wounded.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5204230,00.html

[SteppingRazor]

5. Good to see that freedom's still on the march

:sarcasm:

[Kipling]

6. Routine operation may have caused collateral damage to terrorists.

As anyone but the Grauniad would say.

[sintax]

7. "....including an infant..."

Suffer the Children

If not for the turn of a friendly card when we were three or two
that tragedy could have come to visit me
Or You