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Afghan Officials: NATO Airstrike Killed 12 Children

NATO says the matter is under investigation

By the Associated Press

Posted May 29, 2011 2:28 PM CDT

(AP) – A NATO airstrike targeting insurgents inadvertently hit two civilian homes in the volatile southwestern Helmand province, killing 12 children and two women, an Afghan government official said today. He said the alliance launched the airstrike late yesterday in retaliation for an attack earlier in the day on a US Marine base. A NATO spokesman said a joint coalition and Afghan delegation was traveling to the site to investigate.

Afghan President Karzai blamed American troops for airstrikes that killed the 14 women and children and two men, injuring of six other civilians. "We have told the Americans and NATO forces several times that uncoordinated operations will result in the killing of innocent civilians and that such operations are inhumane, but still no one has listened," Karzai said today, adding that his condemnation would be "the last warning to NATO forces, American forces, and American officials."

Afghans shout anti-US slogans during a demonstration in Taloqan, Takhar province, north of Kabul, Afghanistan on May 19, 2011, protesting a nighttime NATO raid in the area that left four people dead. (AP Photo/Ezatullah Pamir)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 7 comments

Scaramouche

May 29, 2011 7:02 PM CDT

Good to see the Western powers are still winning the hearts and minds of the little brown people.

brawne

May 29, 2011 5:26 PM CDT

Wow--that guy has a lotta nerve bitching at us--his teat. Know how many American soldiers died in WWII? About 146,000. Bad, no doubt, but Russia lost 11 million people. All in the same war. It's not up to us to keep your ass alive. Maybe if this putz had cared about his people ten years ago it might matter. You turned yourself into a country of pawns for money. Sorry about the dead kid--but you put him in play.

Cat-Lover

May 29, 2011 2:57 PM CDT

All's fair in love and war. Get over it!

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Afghan Officials: NATO Airstrike Killed 12 Children

NATO says the matter is under investigation

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Afghanistan • NATO • Hamid Karzai • civilian casualties • airstrike • Afghanistan war

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