Civilian deaths turn Afghans against NATO: report

[NNN0LHI]

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=newsOne&storyID=2006-10-30T231833Z_01_N30416115_RTRUKOC_0_US-AFGHANISTAN-CASUALTIES.xml&WTmodLoc=Home-C2-TopNews-newsOne-6

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A leading human rights group on Monday urged NATO to do more to avoid civilian casualties in Afghanistan, saying reports of increasing civilian deaths were "turning the local population against" the Western alliance.

Fighting between NATO forces and a resurgent Taliban this year has been the bloodiest since U.S.-led forces removed the strict Islamist movement from power after the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

Afghan authorities are investigating allegations that about 60 civilians were killed last week as a result of NATO operations in Kandahar province, where the Taliban was born. Local leaders and villagers said dozens more were wounded and 25 houses were razed during several hours of NATO bombing.

"NATO's tactics are increasingly endangering the civilians that they are supposed to be protecting, and turning the local population against them," said Sam Zarifi, Asia research director for New York-based Human Rights Watch.

[acmavm]

1. Yeah, I can see where dead parents or children or brothers

or sisters or grandparents or aunts or uncles would tend to piss one off. I'd probably hold a grudge too.

[Greeby]

2. New report: water is wet

:eyes: