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US May Have Used Phosphorus in Afghanistan

By the Associated Press

Posted May 10, 2009 5:01 PM CDT
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(AP) – Doctors have voiced concern over "unusual" burns on Afghan villagers wounded in an already controversial US-Taliban battle, and the country's top human rights groups said today it is investigating the possibility white phosphorus was used. The US military denied using the incendiary in a Farah province battle that President Hamid Karzai has said killed 125 to 130 civilians—but left open the possibility that Taliban militants did.

The US says Taliban fighters have used white phosphorus—a spontaneously flammable material that leaves severe chemical burns on flesh—at least four times the last 2 years. Using white phosphorus to illuminate a target or create smoke is considered legitimate under international law, but rights groups say its use over populated areas can indiscriminately burn civilians and constitutes a war crime.

Afghan border policemen stand around a vehicle after it was hit by a remote controlled bomb in Dah Bala of Nangarhar province, east of Kabul, Afghanistan on Sunday, May 10, 2009.
Afghan border policemen stand around a vehicle after it was hit by a remote controlled bomb in Dah Bala of Nangarhar province, east of Kabul, Afghanistan on Sunday, May 10, 2009.   (Rahmat Gul)
Haji Barkat Ullah speaks with her daugther Frishta 7, who was wounded in coalition airstrike on Monday night in Afghanistan, Saturday, May 9, 2009.
Haji Barkat Ullah speaks with her daugther Frishta 7, who was wounded in coalition airstrike on Monday night in Afghanistan, Saturday, May 9, 2009.   (Fradioon Pooya)
Afghan border policemen stand watch a wreackage of a vehicle after it was hit by a remote controlled bomb in Dah Bala of Nangarhar province east of Kabul, Afghanistan on Sunday, May 10, 2009.
Afghan border policemen stand watch a wreackage of a vehicle after it was hit by a remote controlled bomb in Dah Bala of Nangarhar province east of Kabul, Afghanistan on Sunday, May 10, 2009.   (Rahmat Gul)
Afghans put a sack of wheat on the carrier back of a motor bike during a food distribution to displaced families from Helmand province, in Kandahar, south of Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, May 10, 2009.
Afghans put a sack of wheat on the carrier back of a motor bike during a food distribution to displaced families from Helmand province, in Kandahar, south of Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, May 10, 2009.   (Allauddin Khan)
Spc. Zachery Boyd of Fort Worth, Texas, and the U.S. Army First Battalion, 26th Infantry, searches the sky aircraft in Afghanistan's Kunar Province Sunday, May 10, 2009.
Spc. Zachery Boyd of Fort Worth, Texas, and the U.S. Army First Battalion, 26th Infantry, searches the sky aircraft in Afghanistan's Kunar Province Sunday, May 10, 2009.   (David Guttenfelder)
Staff Sgt. Alexander Pascual, right, and Sgt. Kenneth Alexander look out from an observation tower at firebase Restrepo in the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan's Kunar Province Sunday, May 10, 2009.
Staff Sgt. Alexander Pascual, right, and Sgt. Kenneth Alexander look out from an observation tower at firebase Restrepo in the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan's Kunar Province Sunday, May 10, 2009.   (David Guttenfelder)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
lindamae
May 11, 2009 5:28 AM CDT
Israel was also accused of this in Gaza but the UN finally admitted there was no truth to the accusation. Perhaps this will be the case here as well. The press did NOT spend a lot of ink to print the UN conclusion after they poured gallons of it in their initial stories. I wonder if this will be the case here as well. It depends who own the "press." Or is George Soros wants a special story out. there. So sad.
justme
May 11, 2009 2:50 AM CDT
It was used , therefore it is the US that used it? The press won't believe this now that Obama is in office. Imagine what the headlines would have been under Bush.

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war crimes • US military • Afghanistan war • phosphorus

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