Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Karzai anger over civilian deaths

BBC

About 50 civilians were killed this week in fighting in western Afghanistan between US-led troops and suspected militants, Afghan and UN officials say.

Investigators said women and children were among those killed in Herat province. More civilians deaths were reported in Kandahar province.

President Karzai summoned foreign military commanders to tell them his people's patience was wearing thin.

US-led forces said they killed 136 Taleban and knew of no civilian deaths.

Western forces have been accused of carelessness over civilian lives when attacking Taleban fighters.

The death of civilians has been a major issue in Afghanistan, with Nato saying in January that its biggest mistake in 2006 had been the killing of innocent people. It promised to do better.

Correspondents say most civilian deaths in Afghanistan are the result of suicide bombings and other attacks by the Taleban. .......

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