More civilian deaths claimed in Afghanistan

[StarfarerBill]

Source: Associated Press

KABUL – An airstrike by international forces in the southern Afghan province of Helmand killed seven civilians, two Taliban and wounded another civilian, an Afghan official said Friday.

Dawud Ahmadi, spokesman for the provincial governor, said the attack took place Wednesday after an international patrol came under fire from insurgents and called for air support. NATO said it was aware of the reports and was investigating.

It is the second claim of civilian deaths in allied attacks in a week. The Afghan government says that 10 people were killed, including eight schoolchildren, in a village in eastern Kunar province in a nighttime raid by international forces last weekend.

Claims of civilians being killed in military operations are one of the most emotionally charged issues facing international forces. Although insurgents are responsible for the deaths of far more civilians, those blamed on coalition forces spark the most resentment and undermine the fight against the militants.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100101/ap_on_re_as/as_afghanistan

[thunder rising]

1. I recced you back to 0. Our little unrec troll is busy this morning.

[elocs]

3. Yes, and the OP was so important you used the first response to highlight an UnRec troll.

I'm sure they are grateful to you for the attention.

[Mari333]

2. and that, folks, is how 'terrorists' are created. but they call themselves freedom fighters

and who can blame them, when their families are killed for nothing? you would fight back, too.

[Gregorian]

4. Militaries gone WILD!

This is how terrorists are created. Only those who have invested interests in making money off of war don't see that.

[Flaneur]

5. Afghanistan is turning into one giant shit sandwich for the West.

Eat up.