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US Admits Afghan Raids Killed Civilians

Pentagon reverses earlier claims that Taliban was to blame

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted May 8, 2009 5:07 AM CDT
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(Newser) – American officials acknowledged for the first time yesterday that the US military was responsible for at least some of the 100 recent civilian deaths in western Afghanistan. The air strikes have led to angry protests in Afghanistan and calls for the US to withdraw from the country. While initial military reports blamed the Taliban for the deaths, one Pentagon official told the New York Times: "It looks like at least some of the casualties were caused by the airstrikes."

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, on a visit to Afghanistan, told reporters that "we regret any—even one—innocent Afghan civilian casualty," but blamed insurgents for using civilians as shields. The UN estimates that more than 2000 civilians were killed in Afghanistan in 2008, a figure that has become a focal point for Afghan opposition to the American presence in the nation.

An injured Afghan woman from the Bala Baluk, district of Afghanistan is seen on a bed at the hospital in Farah province of Afghanistan this week.
An injured Afghan woman from the Bala Baluk, district of Afghanistan is seen on a bed at the hospital in Farah province of Afghanistan this week.   (AP Photo/Abdul Malek)
The international Red Cross said this week that its officials saw women and children among dozens of dead bodies in two villages in western Afghanistan targeted in US bombing runs.
The international Red Cross said this week that its officials saw women and children among dozens of dead bodies in two villages in western Afghanistan targeted in US bombing runs.   (AP Photo)
Afghan villagers sift through the rubble of destroyed houses after coalition airstrikes in Bala Baluk district of Farah province, Afghanistan, on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
Afghan villagers sift through the rubble of destroyed houses after coalition airstrikes in Bala Baluk district of Farah province, Afghanistan, on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.   (AP Photo)
Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai speaks as Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. listens on Capitol Hill in Washington yesterday.
Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai speaks as Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. listens on Capitol Hill in Washington yesterday.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
DavePA
May 8, 2009 10:22 AM CDT
Here is the problem. The Taliban likes to use human shields. How are the Afghan security forces and/or US Forces supposed to defend against this? Especially when your intel is spotty and you may not know that they are using human shields. I hope the 'truth' comes out about who is really responsible for those deaths.
Robert_Dada
May 8, 2009 7:45 AM CDT
Yes, I don't remember the previous administration ever apologizing for anything. Of course we had GOD on our side so we knew were right. Or so goes the propaganda we were fed.
carbonatedturtle
May 8, 2009 4:41 AM CDT
Well let's see Dave, what immediate threat do you believe the U.S. was under when they fired their missiles from hundreds of miles away? Here's a thought, maybe if the Taliban is using civilians as human shields, you don't just say "oh well" and bomb them anyway. What would the U.S. do if a country fired rockets into a civilian area on U.S. soil because they claimed some of their enemies were hiding there? I'll tell you, they would slaughter every man woman and child from that country, and call it an act of self defense. Let me guess who YOU think is responsible?? Could it be the one you Republican'ts call Hussein the Socialist Anti-Christ?? Get over it, Grandpa McCain lost, stop blaming Obama for your parties mistakes.

Karzai hits the Capitol to stump for aid
Washington Post

Command shift likely as new US troops arrive
Chicago Tribune

 
Afghanistan • Taliban • Pentagon • Robert Gates • civilian casualties • US military • civilians

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