Afghan Officials Say US Air Strike Kills 11 Civilians
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - A US air strike in eastern Afghanistan killed 11 civilians, local officials said Wednesday, sparking strong condemnation from President Hamid Karzai who has often criticized the conduct of the NATO forces now leaving the country.
Civilian casualties caused by the US-led military coalition during the war against Taliban insurgents have been one of the most contentious issues in the 13-year combat campaign that will end by December.
"As a result of a US aerial bombardment... 11 civilians, including two children and two women, were killed, and 12 more injured," said a statement from the presidential palace.
NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) made no immediate comment on Tuesday's air strike, but it often stresses that avoiding civilian casualties is a major priority during operations.
Abdul Hadi Sayedkhil, the police chief of Kunar, told AFP that a joint Afghan-NATO patrol in the province, which is one of the most volatile areas of the country, was ambushed by militants.
"The foreign forces called for air support and as a result of bombardment a number of militants and civilians were killed. We are investigating the incident," he said.
Saleh Mohammad, a survivor being treated in hospital in the provincial capital Asadabad, said there had been two waves of bombings.
"Four of our villagers were on their way back home from work when airplanes bombed them," he told AFP.
"When people went to the area to collect their bodies or take the wounded people to hospital, we were bombed again. Dozens of people, including women and children were killed, or wounded."
