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Afghanistan
10 civilians reported dead in NATO airstrike
2013-02-13
A NATO airstrike has reportedly killed at least 10 civilians, including five children, in eastern Afghanistan.

The airstrike took place in the Shigal district of the Kunar Province, an area with a heavy Taliban presence. Afghan officials say the 10 dead civilians were from two local families.

District governor Abdul Zahir said three Taliban commanders, including a notorious Al Qaeda-linked militant leader called Shahpoor, were also killed in the raid. He said it was not clear if the owner of the targeted house was a member of the Taliban or a civilian, but the Taliban were visiting when the home was attacked.
So either Shahpoor and the boys were using the civilians as shields, or the 'civilians' were really camp followers. The good governor doesn't seem to know which is which...
NATO would not confirm whether any civilian deaths took place, but said it was investigating.

"We take every allegation of civilian casualties very seriously," a spokesman said.

The incident is likely to raise tension between the US and the Afghan government.
Posted by:tipper

#2  Of course the media's definition of a "civilian" is thin gruel. They seem to think:

The Taliban, Laskhar al Sharia, Al Queda, Boko Harom, et al., wear uniforms or some other kind of distinctive garb like a frat house or something.

Kids, although often used as exploding thingees by the aforementioned groups, do not or could not use a weapon

Women, although often used as exploding...etc., do not or could not use a weapon.

The aforementioned groups have ethics, morals, and humanitarian motives and will make nice with any of our wounded and captured so we should also.

Everyone in these areas is a potential enemy combatant. THERE ARE NO CIVILIANS, they are all the enemy.

Screw it. The entire household was a seething little pocket of death mongers, kill them all.
Posted by: Bill Clinton   2013-02-13 10:12  

#1  you invite a target into your house, you become a target
Posted by: Frank G   2013-02-13 09:36  

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