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Afghanistan: US-led forces kill another 95 civilians - protesters fired on (updated)
According to a report by Isambard Wilkinson, published in the British Telegraph August 22, US-led coalition forces killed 76 civilians - including 50 women and 19 children - in a military operation the day before, the Afghan government admitted. AFP reported on August 23, 2008 that an Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission researcher visited Azizabad — the village in Herat province where the airstrikes took place and found 88 people had died, 15 houses were destroyed and others were damaged. The next day, Afghan government officials traveled to the village and reported the death toll had risen to 95, making it one of the deadliest airstrikes on civilians in nearly seven years of war.
Adding salt to the wounds, the Afghan National Army later opened fire on an angry crowd who were protesting the killing, according to a report by Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN, see report below). Afghan President Hamid Karzai issued a decree on August 24 dismissing two high ranking commanders for neglecting thheir duties and trying to conceal the civilian deaths.
![Protesters chanted anti-US slogans at Afghan soldiers as they arrived in the area [Reuters]](http://english.aljazeera.net/mritems/Images//2008/8/23/2008823162056814621_5.jpg "Protesters chanted anti-US slogans at Afghan soldiers as they arrived in the area [Reuters]")
The attack, which included air strikes, took place in the Shindand district of Herat province in the west of Afghanistan and an investigation is now underway, its interior ministry said in a statement.
"Seventy-six people, all civilians and most of them women and children, were martyred during the operation by coalition forces," the ministry claimed.
However, according to the Telegraph report, the coalition said 30 insurgents and no civilians were killed in clashes and air strikes, which came in response to an ambush on Afghan National Army (ANA) and coalition troops as they were going to arrest a Taliban commander.
If the civilian death toll is confirmed it would be one of the highest in the international fight against the Taliban.
It comes at the end of a week of bloodshed in which 10 French soldiers were killed by insurgents in an ambush near Kabul on Monday. Nine more foreign soldiers have died since.
The worsening situation in Afghanistan has prompted accusations that the Pakistan military is failing to rein in elements sympathetic to the Taliban, the Telegraph report concluded.
PAN report: Afghan Army open fire on Shindand protesters, Karzai worried
By Najib Khelwatgar/ Ahmad Qurishi
Herat, August 23: Afghan National Army opened fire on angry protesters who were protesting the killing of dozens of civilians in the US bombardment in Shindand district of western Herat province.
Defence ministry and coalition forces claim that score of Taliban and a few civilians have been killed in coalition bombardments two days back, but residents and local officials of Shindand said 88 civilians have been killed in the bombardment.
Abdul Rahim, deputy district police chief told Pajhwok Afghan News on Saturday that hundreds of civilians came out in streets of Azizabad city.
He said foodstuff was brought to affected families by central government, but the local people rejected the aid and sent it back.
He said after the locals rejected the aid, ANA forces came to the area and opened fires on civilians.
Abdul Rahim said three protesters wounded in firing and were transferred to hospital.
He said the rescuing process is going on and there is possibility of more death bodies to be recovered.
Hamidullah a resident of Shindand district said: "They destroyed our houses, killed dozens of people and they still send us wheat?"
He added they didnt want wheat but wanted the punishment of criminals.
Colonel Abdul Raof Ahmadi, spokesman for regional police in western zone confirmed the protest in Azizabad.
He said ANA forces were sent to the area to avoid chaos but were attacked by protesters with stones.
He accepted that two civilians were wounded in firing of ANA forces.
Meanwhile President Hamid Karzai strongly condemned the irresponsible bombardment of coalition forces on Shindand district.
A press release sent to Pajhwok Afghan News from President's spokesman office said that 70 innocent civilians including women and children were killed and wounded.
Hamid Karzai expressed concern over the incident and added that all efforts of the government to minimize civilian casualties in have failed.
The presidents said the government will take serious steps to avoid civilian casualties and will soon have important announcement on this.
Coalition forces based in Bagragm have also announced investigation over civilian casualties in Shindand district.
In a press release sent to Pajhwok read that the reports over civilian casualties have been considered seriously and investigations have begun.
Herat governor has gone to Shindand district with provincial officials for investigations.
A security officials in Shindand district told Pajhwok afghan News with condition of anonymity that the bombardment was carried out on a Fateha ceremony of one Timor Shah.
The source said: Timor and Nader both worked with coalition forces in Herat airbase, some months back Nader killed Timor"
Two days back Nader's friend attacked Timor house and counter firing began and then coalition forces bombed the area.
Source: RAWA News