89 Afghani Civilians Killed, Including 50 Children and 19 Women, in a US Air Strike on Azizabad, Shindad

US expresses regret of Afghan deaths

Aug 24, 2008 10:20 AM US/Eastern

Breitbart.com

The United States expressed regret Sunday for any civilian deaths from US-led military operations in Afghanistan, without confirming reports of nearly 90 killed in one incident this week.

"We regret the loss of life among the innocent Afghanis who we are committed to protect," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said.

He spoke after president Hamid Karzai fired two top Afghan army commanders after coalition air strikes he said killed more than 89 civilians in one of the deadliest such incidents since 2001.

"These reports are being investigated in Afghanistan and we'll look for the results of that investigation," Fratto said.

"In the tragic air strike and irresponsible and imprecise military operation in Azizabad village in Shindand district more than 89 of our innocent countrymen, including women and children, were martyred," the statement said.

The interior ministry previously put the death toll at 76, including around 50 children and 19 women.

An official investigation has found that more than 90 civilians were killed, according to the Afghan religious affairs minister.

The coalition has insisted only 30 militants were killed.

In a separate statement earlier from Bagram airbase near Kabul, the coalition said it was "aware of allegations that the engagement in the Shindad District of Herat province Friday may have resulted in civilian casualties," and said it is looking into the incident.

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High ranking Afghan commanders sacked due to huge civilian casualties

www.chinaview.cn 2008-08-25 01:05:13

KABUL, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) --

Afghan President Hamid Karzai issued a decree on Sunday dismissing two high ranking commanders after the incident in western Herat province which claimed 89 civilians lives.

"Major General Jalandar Shah, commander of the Zafar Corp (207th), and Major Abdul Jabar, commander of a Commando Battalion, were dismissed for neglecting their duties and concealing the facts of huge civilian casualties in Shindand district of Herat province," said a statement from the Presidential press office.

Meanwhile, President Karzai ordered the Defense Ministry to summon General Jalandar Shah and Lieutenant Abdul Jabar to Kabul for further investigation, the statement said.

According to the statement added the President once again extended his condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims of this tragic incident.

A statement released by the Interior Ministry on Friday said the U.S.-led Coalition forces carried out air raids against the suspected hideout of (alleged Taliban fighters) in Shindand district Thursday night, leaving more than 76 civilians dead, while military sources stressed 30 Taliban fighters were killed in the air strikes.

Kai Eide, the special envoy of UN Secretary General to Afghanistan condemned the killing of civilians by international troops on Saturday and demanded a thorough investigation.

He said "The United Nations has always made clear that civilian casualties are unacceptable and undermine the trust and confidence of the Afghan people."

International troops based in Afghanistan to hunt down militants had more than once committed such mistakes and harmed non-combatants and the repetition of the error has prompted Afghans including President Karzai to call on foreign troops to coordinate operation with Afghan authorities in order to avoid harming civilians.

More than 3,000 people including some 800 civilians have been killed in Afghan violent incidents so far this year.

Editor: Yan

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