|
Nine years later, US Army implements no harm rule
[Iran Press TV Latest] More than nine years after the invasion of Afghanistan, US military commanders in the country are reportedly urging troops to avoid tactics that may harm civilians. The tactical directive issued six months ago by the top US commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, requires the US Air Force to exercise more restraint in its operations and be certain bombs are not dropped on Afghan civilians and their homes. US Air Force commanders admit that bombs, even those which could be guided with high precision, are capable of killing hundreds of troops stationed on a battlefield, and they are not suitable for killing one or two suspects trying to escape a housing compound. When dropped, the explosives claim many lives including those of two or three terrorist suspects, McClatchy Newspapers reported. "[Since McChrystal's directive,] we have seen ... significantly less use in compounds," said Air Force Maj. Gen. Stephen P. Mueller, the director of coordinating air resources in Afghanistan and McChrystal adviser on Air Force matters on Saturday. The US ground forces, on the other hand, think, if observed, the directive is going to put them in greater danger. "The directive . . . It's nice. I read it, but I am going to make sure my guys come back. Period," said a platoon sergeant, speaking on condition of anonymity. Afghan officials say they appreciate the more cautious approach, but there has been a growing outrage among the public regarding the US air attacks on Afghan civilians. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said in a recent report that 2,038 civilians had died in the first 10 months of 2009 as a result of US-led operations in the conflict-torn country. Figures released by the United Nations indicate a 10 percent rise in the civilian death toll from the US-led war in Afghanistan with a good share of fatalities caused by foreign forces. Posted by: Fred 2010-02-01 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=289349 |