Three civilians killed as Afghan assault continues
Three more Afghan civilians have been killed in the assault on a southern Taliban stronghold, Nato forces said today.
The deaths – in three separate incidents – come after two errant US missiles struck a house on the outskirts of the town of Marjah on Sunday, killing 12 people, half of them children. Afghan officials said three Taliban fighters were in the house at the time of the attack.
About 15,000 Nato and Afghan troops are taking part in the massive offensive around Marjah – the linchpin of the Taliban logistical and opium poppy smuggling network in the militant-influenced south. US Marines are spearheading the assault.
As the assault aimed at breaking the Taliban stranglehold over southern Afghanistan continued, the extremist group received a blow with the news that the Taliban’s top military commander, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, has been arrested in Pakistan.
The offensive is the biggest joint operation since the 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan, and a major test of a retooled Nato strategy to focus on protecting civilians, rather than killing insurgents.
But in the fourth day of an assault that could take weeks, the drumbeat of gunfire and controlled detonations of planted bombs sparked fears that civilians will bear the burden of the fight.
In two of the incidents Nato confirmed today, Afghan men came towards troops and ignored shouts and hand signals to stop, Nato said. The soldiers opened fire and killed them.
In the third incident, two Afghan men were caught in the crossfire between insurgents and Nato forces. Both were wounded and one died of his injuries despite being given medical care.
Taliban fighters have stepped up counter-attacks against US Marines and Afghan soldiers in Marjah, slowing the allied advance to a crawl despite Afghan government claims the insurgents were broken and on the run.
Though Nato has only confirmed 15 civilian deaths, an Afghan human rights group said today that it has counted 19 civilian deaths since the beginning of Operation Moshtarak. Four of those were people who were caught in the crossfire when they had to leave their homes for various reasons, it said.
“Their neighbours tell us that the bodies are outside and they want someone to pick them up. They say they’re scared if they go outside they will also be shot dead,” said Ajmal Samadi, the director of Afghanistan Rights Monitor. It was unclear whether Nato or insurgent forces were to blame for the deaths, he said.
Residents said they were scared to be seen with Nato forces.
“Don’t take pictures or the Taliban will come back to kill me,” Wali Mohammad told reporters as US Marines searched his compound.
He said he strongly suspected insurgents would return to the area as soon as the marines moved on.
