NATO to Probe Civilian Casualties in Afghanistan

Afghan President Hamad Karzai is warning foreign troops that more civilian deaths would seriously compromise Afghan citizens’ support (such as it is) for NATO-affiliated forces in their country.

BBC:

Nato’s secretary general has called for an investigation into the killings of 25 civilians in an air strike in the Afghan province of Helmand.

Speaking in Quebec City, Canada, Mr de Hoop Scheffer said no Nato, coalition or Afghan soldier would knowingly take aim at a civilian, and accused the Taleban of using civilians as human shields.

“Each innocent civilian victim is one too many,” he said. “Unfortunately it happens.”

“It’s important to avoid these mistakes because we must keep the support of the large majority of the Afghan population.”

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