U.S.: Afghan airstrike killed 33 civilians

[unhappycamper]

U.S.: Afghan airstrike killed 33 civilians
By Pauline Jelinek - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Oct 9, 2008 5:59:47 EDT

WASHINGTON — U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan on Aug. 22 killed 33 civilians, far more than the military had acknowledged before, the commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East said Wednesday.

Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey released a statement summarizing the findings of a Central Command investigation and asserting that despite the civilian deaths, U.S. forces involved in the attack in western Herat province had acted based on credible intelligence, in self-defense and in line with rules of engagement.

“We are deeply saddened at the loss of innocent life in Azizabad,” Dempsey said.

He said the investigation found that in addition to the civilians killed in the attack on a suspected Taliban compound, 22 insurgents died. The U.S. military originally said that five to seven civilians had died.

The Afghan government and U.N. have said the civilian toll was 90 from the operation, which started with a ground raid by U.S. and Afghan forces.


Article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_afghanistan_airstrike_100808/%2e