Afghanistan president condemns killing of Afghan kids
Iran Press TV
Sun Apr 7, 2013 9:4PM GMT
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has strongly condemned a deadly airstrike carried out by the US-led forces in eastern Afghanistan.
Officials said on Sunday that the attack, which led to the death of Afghan civilians, including 11 children, took place in Shigal district of eastern Kunar province late on Saturday.
In a statement issued by his office, Karzai "strongly condemned the ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) airstrike in Kunar that killed 11 children."
Local officials noted the air raid was conducted to support a ground military operation against Taliban militants.
"Eleven children have been killed aging from one year old to eight years old…There is no proof that al-Qaeda or any other militants were killed," said an Afghan resident.
On Thursday, four Afghan policemen and two civilians lost their lives in another airstrike launched by US-led forces in eastern Ghazni province.
Many civilians have lost their lives in US-led operations in various parts of Afghanistan over the past decade, with Afghans becoming increasingly outraged at the seemingly endless number of the deadly assaults.
Washington claims that its airstrikes target militants, but local sources say civilians have been the main victims of the attacks.
The United States and its allies entered the war in Afghanistan in October 2001 as part of Washington's so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but after more than 11 years, the foreign troops have not been able to establish security in the country.
MR/AS
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