Nato-Led Force Apologizes For Killing Afghan Civilians

[News_Editor]

NATO-led force apologizes for killing Afghan civilians < br /> 2012-05-13 02:47:21 GMT+7 (ICT) KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and U.S. Forces in Afghanistan (USFOR-A) on Friday apologized and promised a thorough investigation in the wake of two airstrikes last week which resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Afghan civilians.A joint ISAF/USFOR-A statement said it extends its "deepest regrets and sympathies" to the families and loved ones of those who died in last week's airstrikes. "Unfortunately, the preliminary investigations into these events have determined that our actions have resulted in a number of deaths and injuries to Afghan civilians," it said.While Afghan officials reported at least 20 civilian deaths, coalition forces have been unwilling to release casualty numbers from the airstrikes. "These are preliminary findings and the investigations are still ongoing," said Lt. Col. Jimmie E. Cummings, Jr., an ISAF spokesman. "Once they are complete, we will brief [the President of Afghanistan] prior to putting out additional information/numbers on each."Friday's joint statement said the coalition takes "full responsibility" for what it called "tragic and regrettable" incidents. Coalition officials are expected to meet with the family members of those who died or were injured in the coming days to apologize and express their condolences.Daud Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand governor Muhammad Gulab Mangal, earlier said the first incident took place on the evening of May 4 when an ISAF helicopter targeted a militant hideout in the Sangin area of Helmand province but missed and instead struck a home, killing a mother, her three daughters and two sons.Then on May 6, a separate ISAF airstrike was carried out in the Bala Murghab district of northwestern Badghis province, killing at least fourteen civilians, according to Afghan officials.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-05-13

[koheesti]

In related news, Afghan President Hamid Karzai apologised today for yet another coalition soldier shot dead by a member of their Afghan Army allies. Yeah, like that'll ever happen.

[Steely Dan]

In related news, Afghan President Hamid Karzai apologised today for yet another coalition soldier shot dead by a member of their Afghan Army allies. Yeah, like that'll ever happen.

You would have thought with their record of murdering supposed allies they would employ full time professional appologists, or perhaps they indeed do.

[blackthorn2005]

No apology is required, if the government ran there own country properly this would not be happening and the lives of many coalition forces would have been saved. Bunch of savage cowards!

[GentlemanJim]

No apology is required, if the government ran there own country properly this would not be happening and the lives of many coalition forces would have been saved. Bunch of savage cowards!

We are not there because they were not running their country properly, so any attempts at effective governance on their part would not have saved our young men and women.

I am unsure why the military are issuing formal apologies? "Dear Mr Mohammed, this morning we killed your wife and 5 young children, we just want to say sorry...ok! I hope this makes you feel a bit better". Just what is the point?, try giving him 6 million dollars compensation, then again, if I were him I would spend it on automatic weapons, missiles and RPG's and go looking for some serious pay back. Maybe just let the politicians deal with it, they started this bloody mess.