Group: NATO Forces Blocking Movement of Wounded Afghan Civilians

[G_j]

watch/read/listen:

http://www.democracynow.org/2010/2/17/group_nato_forces_blocking_wounded_afghan

Group: NATO Forces Blocking Movement of Wounded Afghan Civilians

The US is coming under increasing criticism over the rise in civilian casualties during the assault on the Afghan city of Marjah, one of the largest military offensives of the eight-year war. At least nineteen civilians have been killed so far, including six children who died when a missile struck their house on the outskirts of the city. We speak with Matteo dell’Aira, medical coordinator of the Emergency Lashkar Gah hospital.
…
The US and NATO assault on the Afghan city of Marjah has entered its fifth day. US Marines have called in helicopter gunships for support as they face heavy gunfire and sustained resistance as they try to gain control of the city.

The assault is one of the largest military offensives of the eight-year war with some 15,000 Afghan, Nato and US troops taking part.

The US is coming under increasing criticism over the rise in civilian casualties during the operation. At least nineteen civilians have been killed so far, including six children who died when a missile struck their house on the outskirts of the city. The military initially claimed the rocket went off course but on Tuesday, the commander of British forces in southern Afghanistan, Major-General Nick Carter, said the missile had hit its intended target.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the governor of Helmand province said that more 1,200 families had been displaced and evacuated from Marjah and claimed all had received aid in the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah.

But the Italian NGO Emergency released a statement saying dozens of seriously injured civilians are being prevented from reaching its hospital in Lashkar Gah due to NATO military blockades.

Yesterday we spoke with the medical coordinator of the Emergency Lashkar Gah hospital. Matteo dell’Aira is a nurse who was been working in Afghanistan for the past ten years.

..more..

[G_j]

1. crickets

[EFerrari]

2. There they go again.

:(