UN: US-Led Airstrike Killed At Least 90 Afghan Civilians, Most Of Them Children

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Aug. 26 -- United Nations officials in Afghanistan said Tuesday that there was "convincing evidence" at least 90 civilians -- two-thirds of them children -- were killed in a U.S.-led airstrike last week that caused the Afghan government to call for a review of U.S. and NATO military operations in the country.

Kai Eide, the top U.N. official in Afghanistan, said local officials and residents in the western province of Herat corroborated reports that 60 children and 30 adults had been killed in an Aug. 21 military operation led by U.S. Special Operations forces and the Afghan army.

In a statement, Eide called the incident a "matter of grave concern to the United Nations" and said he had "repeatedly made clear that the safety and welfare of civilians must be considered above all else during the planning and conduct of all military operations."

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[MagisterLudi]

NATO INTO Afghanistan. Increase troops by 90,000. Must be mountain warfare trained!
Systematically take out Al Qaeda/Taliban bases. Yes, it's hard work. Get Poles and Ukrainians send about 30,000 each. Promise them more subsidized weapons. ( eh, later).
After most foreign Jihadists are gone: Close all Saudi-sponsored schools: conduits of Jihadist imports. Arrest and deport all non-Afghani Arabs, Chechens, Albanians, Iranians and Uzbeks on sight. Then, and only then, pressure Kuwaitis and Dubai ( not Saudis!) to build new infrastructure. Open trade schools. Allow women to get education ( or at least learn to read). Make Taliban primitivism irrelevant by increasing Afghan standard of living and helping A-stan join 21 Century community of states (or at least 20th).

[OldKnute]

Well,,,,, one thing that has been recently done by BUSH, was the increase number of Iraqi war refugees into the United States to 5,000 per year. Not sure how many Afghanistan people will be allowed in to immigrate America.

More than 6 Million have fled Iraq though.

The difficult prospect will remain for who ever is elected, to find JOBS, language education, homes, build Mosques, schools for their children and communities for the flood of people that will be coming to America, but the moral responsibility to do so will be great.

We will just have to find a way.

All the best

Knute Neo-LIB

[dotmafia]

Good thing President Dubya made that "America's Fund for Afghan Children" so that all those children will be looked after and safe and... oh wait... never mind.

I guess the "fund" was a few missiles.

[Agentlady007]

Three more years to give the boy in the photograph a bionic leg.

[TXfemmom]

The Russians were ruthless and didn't care how many civilians they killed.

The Afghans, the Taliban, and Al Qaeda are actively working in Afghanistan, and they attacked us. We should be as cautious as we can be, but if those who would attack us gather with their families nearby, then they are the ones responsible when things happen to them.

Besides, everything I have read said that the UN has only the word of the people in the area, no photos, no bodies, as they were not permitted to investigate it, and the word of the people in that area means nothing to me, as it is a known Taliban area. They even admit that they were gathered to do some sort of ceremony marking the death of a Taliban leader killed thirty days before.

[Berettasskeeter]

Someone with a modicum of intelligence and sense, as you seem to have, will know these things. I commend your intestinal fortitude, but the anti-military, anti-America nutjobs here won't understand a word you just wrote.
War is hell! Things get broken, and people get killed. Not all are the right people, some are innocents. Sad, but tough! And when the innocents are the families of the bad, their innocence is somewhat compromised.
Semper fi

[MaybeMilo]

Your monumental lack of empathy is pretty typical, unfortunately.

Not that there aren't bad people in the world, but come on - it's not a very Christian attitude.

[LarBear]

One person I admire in this World today is the Dalai Lama... A person, IMO and my observation, of deep awareness and understanding...
Of President Bush ( my words) He (Dalai Lama) observed, He Loves Bush... He also observed, Bush has a very limited, Unidirectional belief/ perception of the World... Life to Bush is a one way street and one's either going the right way, or wrong way... Since Bush Believes himself to be a good man, Bush is doing what is right for the Country he Loves... Rules, Laws are not as important, as is doing RIGHT for your Nation...
So, with his big Loving heart and understanding, the Dalai Lama Loves, who Bush believes himself to be...
With his more expanded consciousness, the Dalai Lama doesn't perceive Bush as an Evil man... I get it... Not able to continually flow that level of consciousness yet, myself, but get it...
To those on here Judging our Military, in my observation, you in consciousness, are like Bush... Black/ white, right/ wrong, good/ bad, one way consciousness... Our Military is Evil, Nazis, War criminals, child killers, etc... In that limited, one way, blinder wearing consciousness... There's no room for compassionate understanding...
It's NOT "Evil" doing this Judging, but the same limited consciousness, that Bush functions from... And, like Bush, those of limited consciousness are unlikely to step back and self observe...
POGO: We've met the Enemy and IT is US!
Judge NOT...

[AmandaBC]

"Our Military is Evil, Na_zis, W_ar crim_inals, child kill_ers, etc... In that limited, one way, blin_der wearing consciousness... There's no room for compassionate understanding..."

Was there any room for "compassionate understanding" of the na_zi troops that committed atro_cities on the eastern front? Of course not. The AMERICAN military judges wouldn't buy the pathetic EXCUSE that the "poor soldiers" were tired and stressed out and had the officers and the troops responsible for the mas_sacres (when caught...) exe_cuted. Obviously you're unable to even tackle your appal_ling hypo_crisy...

[MagisterLudi]

BC... gallon of Valerian root, every hour on the hour.

[MagisterLudi]

For Larbear.
Two monks were washing their bowls in the river when they noticed a scorpion that was drowning. One monk immediately scooped it up and set it upon the bank. In the process he was stung. He went back to washing his bowl and again the scorpion fell in. The monk saved the scorpion and was again stung. The other monk asked him, "Friend, why do you continue to save the scorpion when you know it's nature is to sting?"

"Because," the monk replied, "to save it is my nature."

[BookDesigner]

Nobody seems to remember that the Soviet Union fought a 10-year war in Afghanistan. The Soviet military, no less competent or ruthless than anything the US military is capable of, dragged itself out of that place, after suffering horrendous casualties. The loss or crippling of so many of their young men played a significant role in the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Afghanis will not love us any more than the Iraqis do. Though most may be glad the Taliban was driven out, as most Iraqis are glad Saddam is gone, neither people is glad for an American occupation. The longer the occupation continues, the more hatred for the U.S. spreads throughout the world.

[abouttime]

That's because war is not healthy for children and other living things.

I have not forgot the Soviets war, where 20-30,000 troops lost their lives. The U.S. was proud to supply meager weapons and "covert" aid to the Afgani "freedom fighters, whom Reagon called "the moral equilalent to our founding fathers." Odd though, that the neocons back then laughed at the Russians for thinking they could conquer Afagahanistan and basted in the glory of extending that war, until it got serious and started suppling Stinger missles and training the likes of Osama bin-Laden and the fundamentalist Muslims whom made the war un-winnable for Russia. However Reagan and Bush cut aid and left a vaccuum for the Taliban, who helped al-Quada and bin Laden form the basis of the 911 attacks.

So the US and NATO are now figting the victorious opposition to Russia that enet on for 10 years, and yes, helped in the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Lesson - Supporting the enemy of your enemy can be disasterous and costly. But the Neocons never learn and McCain will do the same if elected. The US will certainly follow Russia's calamity, and we all will suffer.

US Out of Afaghnistan!

[esquire07]

War is a good thing for the Arms dealers and Oilmen... a.k.a. Bush Buddies.

[bb1234]

War is ugly and brutal - Dresden, Hiroshima, Leningrad, Berlin, etc.

It's all about Winning and there will inevitably be collateral damage. Some of us understand that concept and move forward, others are intimidated by it, don't act forcefully and will put us in a more vulnerable position.

[Lemmy]

See JOHN KERRY and GLOBAL TEST.

[Irons]

Did you find the WMD yet?

LMAO

[Lemmy]

That's hilarious. Sorry to tell you no American troops died in Iraq today.

[AmandaBC]

"It's all about Winning and there will inevitably be collateral damage. Some of us understand that concept and move forward"

So, you think the SS officers and troops sentenced by the American military judges at Nurermberg were unjustly executed? Or you're just the biggest hypocrite in the world and you think a second standard should apply to the US military?

[darthdarcy]

I haven't seen any coverage of this on any cable news network and this type of blunder and callous incompetence is bound to undermine all our efforts in Afghanistan and turn more Afghans away from support for the U.S. and coalition forces..!

Imagine if the Taliban had killed 90 civilians mostly children, it would be the number one story everywhere..in America..!

[Berettasskeeter]

You haven't been watching FOX, have you? It was aired at 4:00 this afternoon. Also saw it on C-Span. Broaden your horizons.
Semper fi

[MagisterLudi]

"By 2007, jihadist websites from Chechnya to Turkey to the Arab world began to feature recruitment ads calling on the 'Lions of Islam' to come fight in Afghanistan," Williams wrote in the February 2008 issue of CTC Sentinel, the online journal of West Point's Combating Terrorism Center. "It appears that many heeded the call. This was especially true after the Anbar Awakening of anti-Al Qaeda tribal leaders and General David Petraeus' 'surge strategy' made Iraq less hospitable for foreign volunteers."

[Ramirez]

Flypaper.

[Lemmy]

Are you messing with us? Harry Ried said we lost in Iraq a while ago.

[Huffyfan]

very true , it was saudi Arabia (US ally par excellence and Pakistan) that did most of the recruiting . ALL saudi Mosques urged the Muslim youth to go and fight the soviets , the enemies of Islam AND most friday prayers turned to quick courses about the evil nature of communism >
sAUDI arabia insisted that Anyone occupying Muslim land (afghanistan) is an enemi and should be fought . and saudi passed fatwas too . (Saudi will not do the same for the US occupation in iraq since saudis are US allie and puppets )
Now saudis in mosques are told not to interefere in iraq , and anyone criticizing the US forces in iraq can be in big trouble with the saudi authorities (Columnists losing their columns etc.. )

[MagisterLudi]

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - In the wake of setbacks suffered by Al Qaeda in Iraq, Afghanistan is becoming the preferred destination for Muslims, particularly from Arab nations, seeking to wage jihad against the West.
Get lets get them all in one place.... and make an example of them.

[Lemmy]

Amen - now I agree with Obama - EVERYONE TO AFGHANISTAN! WHOO-HOO!!!

Somebody bring the MOABs!

[geobushono]

in your zeal, don't forget the Russians have the FOAB..........jus' reminding you, the Military is nothing without your warm body, Lemmy.

[strandwolf]

One place? Like little old Afghanistan, by golly. See you there, Clyde.

[AmandaBC]

"Get lets get them all in one place.... and make an example of them."

What do you suggest, gas chambers or the classic ovens? Theghost of your role model Adolf is so proud of you...

[MagisterLudi]

More than 3,700 people, mostly militants, have died in insurgency-related violence so far this year according to an Associated Press tally of figures provided by Afghan and Western officials. Good.

[Durango]

You know that number includes women and children?

[Lemmy]

You know it's called a war? If we took that position in WWII, Europe would now be controlled by the Natzis.

We should, though, try to negaotiate with these people. You head over there and see what you can accomplish.

[MagisterLudi]

Durango,
Yes, regrettably. And faster the Western forces and Afghanis dispose of Arabs and Jihadists undesirables, the safer those children and women will be.

[MagisterLudi]

KABUL, Afghanistan - A four-day battle that began with an ambush on a joint U.S-Afghan patrol in southern Afghanistan has killed more than 100 militants.
More than 3,700 people, mostly militants, have died in insurgency-related violence so far this year according to an Associated Press tally of figures provided by Afghan and Western officials.

Too bad for civilian casualties. At least they didn't die in vain and thousands of Jihadists were put down.

[AmandaBC]

"Too bad for civilian casualties. At least they didn't die in vain and thousands of Jih_adists were put down."

Adolf Hi_tler said the very same thing about Soviet civilians and the partisans in WWII:

""Too bad for civilian ca_sualties. At least they didn't die in vain and thousands of partisans were pu_t down."

Once again, your inspiration is very clear...

[MagisterLudi]

Is it a neurotic National Socialism preoccupation or maybe it the only subject they offered at your Campbell River remedial night school?

[AmandaBC]

"Too bad for civilian casualties. At least they didn't di_e in vain and thousands of Jihadists were put down."

Hi-tler said exactly the same thing about Soviet civilians being sacrified for the sake of eliminating the "Terroristen" (i.e. partisans.) Once again, you're not disappointing your role model...

[dbdzen]

Imagine the outrage if a state sponsored accident had killed 60 children in Stockholm, London or Orlando? An American pulled the trigger and another American ordered that attack. It's very difficult to explain the pain a parent feels burying their children. It is the worst pain a human being can feel. It's unnatural, parents are not supposed to bury their children.

[cruisepuppy7452a]

Bush and the GOP must be so proud. Killing innocent kids under Bush's watch. Let me guess, Mccain and co think this is wonderful. Nobody had to go into IRAQ, Aphganistan, Iran, nada. This is about greed people, unadulterated greed. Not fighting terrorism. Kids? What is next, little old ladies, with wheel chairs? This is grounds for impeachment, abuse of power, crimes against hummanity here and abroad, war crimes. Ya really want more of this? I don't.

[PublicusOrator]

Hey , as President, Obama has stated that he will be sending additional brigades to Afghanistan. Do you believe that if/when Obama is Commander in Chief that innocent women and children will not be victims of "Friendly Fire". In a war any war bad things happen, that is why a war should be a governmental action of the last resort. You Bush haters would throw the baby out with the bathwater. What is meant that nobody had to go into Afghanistan ? Was 9-11 to be forgotten ?

[OldKnute]

Excuse me.

It was advised by the CIA that we launch immediate, special opps, surgical strikes against bin Laden, To secure the Pakistani border and forgo plans for,,,, Regime Change,,,, in favor of capturing bin Laden,,,,, the mastermind of 911.

Bush: "I am ALL about regime change."

Countering BUSH 41, his FATHER"S, denial in 1991; "I am NOT about regime change."

It is McCain/Bush that ignore 911. They BOTH say bin Laden and al Qeada, are no longer a threat to America. It is Cheney that disbanded the bin Laden taskforce.

The Neo-CON"s knew exactly what they were doing. Once committed, extraction would be difficult for ANY President or Administration to follow. They WIN, the Merchants of DEATH,, win,,, no matter who is in office.

You know how Obama will succeed where others have failed?

WISDOM,, he will listen to his Generals and USE diplomacy and international negotiations to end to these conflicts. Whether by surrender or armistice, ALL WARS end in negotiation.

GET IT!

All the best

Knute Neo-LIB