">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Red Cross says US bombing killed Afghan civilians
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
Red Cross says US bombing killed Afghan civilians
By RAHIM FAIEZ,Associated Press Writer AP - Thursday, May 7
KABUL - The international Red Cross confirmed Wednesday that civilians were found in graves and rubble where Afghan officials alleged U.S. bombs killed had dozens. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Washington "deeply, deeply" regretted the loss of innocent life.
ADVERTISEMENT
Women and children were among dozens of bodies in two villages targeted by airstrikes, the International Committee of the Red Cross reported Wednesday, after sending a team to the district. The U.S. military sent a brigadier general to the region to investigate.
A former Afghan government official said up to 120 people died in the bombing Monday evening.
Opening a meeting with the presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan at the U.S. State Department in Washington, Clinton said Wednesday that any loss of innocent life was "particularly painful."
Afghan President Hamid Karzai, in Washington for his first meeting with President Barack Obama, thanked Clinton for "showing concern and regret" and said he hoped the countries "can work together to completely reduce civilian casualties in the struggle against terrorism."
Karzai will raise the issue of civilian deaths with Obama, a statement from Karzai's office said.
The first images from the bombings in Farah province emerged Wednesday. Photos from the site obtained by The Associated Press showed villagers burying the dead in about a dozen fresh graves, while others dug through the rubble of demolished mud-brick homes.
The international Red Cross team in Farah's Bala Baluk district on Tuesday saw "dozens of bodies in each of the two locations that we went to," said spokeswoman Jessica Barry.
"There were bodies, there were graves, and there were people burying bodies when we were there," she said. "We do confirm women and children. There were women and children."
Karzai ordered an investigation and the U.S. military sent a brigadier general to Farah to head a U.S. investigation, said Col. Greg Julian, a U.S. spokesman. Afghan military and police officials were also part of the investigative team.
Civilian deaths have caused increasing friction between the Afghan and U.S. governments, and Karzai has long pleaded with American officials to reduce civilian casualties in their operations. U.S. and NATO officials accuse the Taliban militants of fighting from within civilian homes, thus putting them in danger.
Mohammad Nieem Qadderdan, a former district chief of Bala Buluk, said between 100 and 120 people were killed in the attacks. He said villagers were still uncovering bodies, some of which were missing limbs or were torn into small pieces, he said.
"People are still looking through the rubble," Qadderdan said. "We need more people to help us. Many families left the villages, fearing other strikes."
Provincial authorities have told villagers not to bury the bodies, but instead to line them up for the officials conducting the investigation to see, Qadderdan said.
The fighting broke out Monday soon after Taliban fighters _ including Taliban from Pakistan and Iran _ massed in Farah province in western Afghanistan, said Belqis Roshan, a member of Farah's provincial council. The provincial police chief, Abdul Ghafar, said 25 militants and three police officers died in that battle near the village of Ganjabad in Bala Baluk district, a Taliban-controlled area near the border with Iran.
Villagers told Afghan officials they put children, women, and elderly men in several housing compounds in the village of Gerani _ about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) to the east _ to keep them safe. But villagers said fighter aircraft later targeted those compounds, killing a majority of those inside, according to Roshan and other officials.
A Western official in Kabul said Marine special operations forces _ which fall under the U.S. coalition _ called in the airstrikes. The official asked not to be identified because he wasn't authorized to release the information.
Villagers brought about 30 bodies, including women and children, to Farah city to show the governor Tuesday, said Abdul Basir Khan, a member of the provincial council.
Journalists and human rights workers can rarely visit remote battle sites to verify claims of civilian casualties. U.S. officials say Taliban militants sometimes force villagers to lie and say civilians have died in coalition strikes. But the international Red Cross report and other official accounts added weight to villagers' claims in Bala Baluk.
In remarks in the United States on Tuesday, Karzai alluded to the problem of civilian casualties without mentioning the bombing deaths. He said the success of the new U.S. war strategy depends on "making sure absolutely that Afghans don't suffer _ that Afghan civilians are protected."
"This war against terrorism will succeed only if we fight it from a higher platform of morality," he said in a speech at the Brookings Institution in Washington. Asked later to clarify, Karzai said, "We must be conducting this war as better human beings," and recognize that "force won't buy you obedience."
An Afghan government commission previously found that an August 2008 operation by U.S. forces killed 90 civilians in Azizabad, a finding backed by the U.N. The U.S. originally said no civilians died; a high-level investigation later concluded 33 civilians were killed.
After the Azizabad killings, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. David McKiernan, announced a directive last September meant to reduce such deaths. He ordered commanders to consider breaking away from a firefight in populated areas rather than pursue militants into villages.
___
Associated Press reporters Heidi Vogt, Jason Straziuso and Fisnik Abrashi in Kabul, and Matthew Lee in Washington ,contributed to this report.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Mexico reopens amid swine flu breakthroughAFP - Thursday, May 7
Five die in Vietnam railway station fire: officialAFP - Thursday, May 7
US man held for entering Aung San Suu Kyi's homeAFP - Thursday, May 7
Congress battles left as India votes in 4th roundReuters - Thursday, May 7
China quake left 5,335 students dead or missingAFP - Thursday, May 7
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
Bank of America needs at least 33.9 bln dlrs
Berlusconi: My marriage is 'finished or about to finish'
Court okays breast removal for transsexual teen: report
Actor Dom DeLuise dead at 75: family
Kenyan women to sex-starve men -- for politics
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Thursday, 7 May 2009 Israeli troops kill Palestinian at West Bank shrine
| International
|
Fox Suing Bollywood Film Studio For Allegedly Copying "My Cousin Vinny"
Sudan says willing to admit new NGOs
| International
|
Madonna's Russian Concert Plans Anger Local Authorities
The Horrors, The Slits To Headline London's Offset Festival
Anti-Gorbachev plotter, Soviet Gen. Varennikov dies
| International
|
Radiohead Was Told To Break Up Before They Finished "In Rainbows"
Georgian opposition clash with police in Tbilisi
| International
|
Kiefer Sutherland In Trouble For Headbutting Man Reportedly In Honor Of Brooke Shields
Comedian Dom DeLuise Dead At 75
Paula Abdul Admits To Former Painkiller Addiction
"Billy Elliot" Leads Kudos List In Tony Awards With 15 Nods
Comedian Dom DeLuise Dies At 75
Amazon launches larger-screen Kindle
| Technology
|
EBay says $2 billion price tag low for Skype
| Technology
|
Bell Mobility to sell Palm's Pre
| Technology
|
Vatican breaks silence on Angels and Demons
| Entertainment
|
Susan Boyle joins stars in top viral videos
| Entertainment
|
Dylan brings it all back home with No. 1 album
| Entertainment
|
Natasha Mostert offers pinch of paranormal
| Entertainment
|
Copulating corpses spark outrage in Berlin show
| Entertainment
|
Major attacks in Iraq since Jan. 1
Sudan says willing to admit new NGOs
Thousands flee as Pakistani jets hit Swat
| International
|
US commission to probe financial crisis
Mega security planned for pope's Israel visit
Mexico gets back to normal, China eases quarantine
| International
|
US banks on 'stress tests' to help economy
North Korea seen readying for new nuclear test
| International
|
Jailed U.S.-Iranian reporter eating again
Russia tensions spike as NATO starts Georgia war games
Thousands clash with police in Chinese city: rights group
| International
|
Porsche to merge with Volkswagen
Israel brushes off call to sign nuclear arms pact
Taliban urge Afghans to be vigilant on conversion
| International
|
US, EU agree to settle simmering beef dispute
Turkey wedding attack puts militia in spotlight
Car bombs kill 17 in Baghdad, Iraqi police say
China officials withdraw order to smoke
China says 5,335 children dead or missing from quake
| International
|
Israeli police bust Palestinians with ancient text
Hit by job crunch, China trains entrepreneurs
| International
|
Bank of America needs at least 33.9 bln dlrs
Iran stays execution of two minors: lawyer
Turkey wedding bloodbath puts militia in spotlight
| International
|
US Afghan strikes kill 100, 'mostly civilians'
Tibet threatened by global warming: state media
Microsoft CEO still sees chance to work with Yahoo
| Technology
|
Wireless HD video gets boost from WiGig Alliance
Windows 7 raises complaints from rivals: report
| Technology
|
US-TECH Summary
Google: American phenomenon and antitrust target
| Technology
|
Twitter co-founder says company not for sale
2 killed in crash of small plane at Fla. airport
Twitter co-founder says company not for sale
| Technology
|
Google: American phenomenon and antitrust target
Ericsson says Sony logical buyer for SE stake: report
| Technology
|
Novice air controller blamed for close call in Ky.
Spam down but "zombie" armies growing: McAfee
AMD shakes up organization, promotes executive
| Technology
|
Obama plans a scaled back National Day of Prayer
AMD shakes up organization, promotes executive
Amazon launches larger-screen Kindle
| Technology
|
'Class of Katrina' graduating, 4 years after storm
Russia tensions spike as NATO starts Georgia war games
Flu communicators face tweets, fans and zombies
Czech Senate set to approve Lisbon Treaty
Flu communicators face tweets, fans and zombies
| Technology
|
For sale in NYC: Torture devices from 16th century
Reprieve for Boston Globe as union reaches deal
Bill unveiled to reverse U.S. online gambling ban
| Technology
|
Audit: air traffic systems vulnerable to attack
A look at housing legislation
US congressman moves to legalize online gambling
Grand jury transcripts sealed in Calif. slay case
summit champions human rights online
Phoenix-area mother helps bust Ecstasy ring
Search for US poet in Japan to be scaled down
US commander: Taliban beheading led to airstrikes
U.S. regrets Afghan civilian deaths
Taiwan opposition claims interference in Chen's trial
Idol boots last woman singer, Allison Iraheta
| Entertainment
|
Japan reign supreme in AFC Champions League
Studio ups download figure for pirated Wolverine
| Entertainment
|
Key moments in the struggle for Swat Valley
Vatican breaks silence on Angels and Demons
| Entertainment
|
Canadian students released from China quarantine
Tuned-in kids get turned on earlier
| Entertainment
|
Sri Lanka rebels say war takes heavy civilian toll
Blu-ray player sales surge
| Entertainment
|
Two more actors enter Percy pantheon
| Entertainment
|
De Niro, Norton to star in thriller Stone
| Entertainment
|
Red Cross says US bombing killed Afghan civilians
Bride Wars sweeps DVD charts
| Entertainment
|
Robot Chicken crew constructs new series
| Entertainment
|
Kiefer Sutherland to face charge in scuffle: report
| Entertainment
|
CORRECTED
Korea Hot Stocks
Bank of China managers jailed in US for $485 mln scam
NZ jobless rate hits six-year high in Q1
Jordan hopes papal visit will boost tourism
HBO gives go-ahead to series about New Orleans
Copulating corpses spark outrage in Berlin show
Taiwan's April jobless claims fall
Natasha Mostert offers pinch of paranormal
Thailand to borrow $22.9 bln for stimulus: minister
Property disputes dog Vatican-Israel ties
China's economic recovery 'still not solid': central bank
Susan Boyle joins stars in top viral videos
Kookmin Bank launches $1 bln 5-yr covered bond-lead
Ancient 'hobbit' humans new species after all
Vatican breaks silence on "Angels and Demons"
Pakistani 6-mth T-bill cut-off yield at 13.1876
Remembrance and reconciliation 55 yrs after Dien Bien Phu
Thai government approves increase on alcohol
Painting, nabbed by Nazis, returned to Jew's heirs
Kylie Minogue announces first US tour
No Doubt's Touring Entourage Includes Numerous Nannies
Contest Winner Paid $110,000 To Take Dream Job, Live On Australian Resort
Spiderman, Oompa-Loompa and Teletubby Arrested After Brawling With Drunk Vacationers
National Boy Scout Organization Tells Overweight Volunteers To Lose It Or Lose Right To Go On Some Outings
Prince Charles Teams Up With A Frog For Environmental Action Campaign
Singer Katy Perry Likes To Wears Her Grandmother's Clothes
First U.S. Face Transplant Recipient Reveals New Look
Georgia Man Is The First Double-Hand Transplant Recipient In U.S.
EU lawmakers against Internet piracy clampdown
Bell Mobility to sell Palm's Pre
EU telecoms reform goes back to negotiating table
Swedish Pirate Party may get seat in EU Parliament
Swede indicted for hacking NASA, Cisco computers
Turkey mulls militia reform after wedding bloodbath
Iran hangs 9 people for murder, drug trafficking
Israel-Palestinian talks must address core issues: Blair
| International
|
Afghans protest deadly US-led strikes
Afghans protest civilian casualties, one wounded
| International
|
U.S. calls for credible 2010 Sudan election
| International
|
Afghanistan, Pakistan form new anti-militant front
Eurozone interest rate cut to record low
Moscow bans gay rights parade
| International
|
Israeli soldier killed in West Bank clash
ECB cuts interest rate to a record one percent
Corruption seen at root of Iraq's lack of services
| International
|
Turkey wedding attack puts militia in spotlight
EU, church urge calm in Georgia after violence
| International
|
'The Producers' arrives in Germany
Israel says it won't apologize for Gaza war
Islamists say Pope's Mideast visit provocative
| International
|
11 killed in Baghdad car bombings
Chrysler on legal fast-track, faces long road
Feds: Mountain-dwelling pika may need protection
Google: American phenomenon and antitrust target
| Technology
|
Jackson, Miss., mayor dies after losing primary
Nintendo profit down 42 percent
Wesleyan students told to stay home; suspect loose
Ericsson says Sony logical buyer for SE stake: report
Nintendo sees slowdown ahead
| Technology
|
Investigators explore lead on abducted Calif. boy
Windows 7 raises complaints from rivals: report
'Tough' toddler found alive after 2 days in woods
Irish student's Jarre wiki hoax dupes journalists
| Technology
|
Irish student's Wikipedia hoax dupes newspapers
Government to condemn land for Flight 93 memorial
Georgia flares again amid NATO exercises
The Nation's Weather
Fire kills nine in Ukraine
Child rapist cult leader recaptured
Wreckage of Easter crash hits 3 Atlanta families
Recent rains revive Kansas winter wheat crop
Czech senators approve European Union's Lisbon Treaty
Obama's Day: Budget, education, Russian relations
Ericsson says Sony logical buyer for SE stake: report
Video shows Sri Lanka rebels forcing civilian help
US man swims across lake to see Aung San Suu Kyi
Thousands flee as Pakistani jets hit Swat
Myanmar arrests US man for entering Suu Kyi home
Public told to snub boxing champ Pacquiao
China warns Paris over city honor for Dalai Lama
Pakistan war planes bomb Taliban hideouts
China: 5,335 students dead, missing in 2008 quake
Nicktoons orders more "Wolverine" episodes
China says 5,335 children dead, missing in quake
6 on trial for deadly China train crash
Wall Street Journal to launch Japanese website
Japan's Shinsei Bank falls deep in red
China's Geely says in bid for GM's Saab
Report: China car sales rise to fresh monthly high
Hanks ready for more "Da Vinci" role
Dow Jones, SBI to start Japanese WSJ.com
'Idol' finalist Gokey gets Milwaukee homecoming
Taiwan exports continue to plunge in April
Copulating cadavers turn stomachs in Berlin
Japan's Nikkei index jumps to 6-month high
'Springtime for Hitler' arrives in Germany
WRAPUP 1-S.Korea's govt says economy not out of the woods
'Life and Death' avoids propaganda, muddles story
Seoul shares end firm; techs fall, shippers rise
Christie's routs rival with $102 mln art sale
Nintendo defies recession with record profits
US homeless couple marry in dream wedding
Iraq's wall-builders mourn drop in violence
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
"Bride Wars" sweeps DVD charts
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights