Glenn Greenwald
Something that has happened repeatedly in Afghanistan over the last eight years happened yet again this week:
After U.S. Strike, Dispute Over Afghan Deaths
KABUL, Afghanistan — Sharply conflicting reports on an American airstrike this week continued to trickle out Friday from American military and Afghan officials as to whether the attack killed civilians.
The airstrike in Ghor Province in western Afghanistan Tuesday had targeted a local Taliban militant, Mullah Mustafa, but instead killed 10 civilians and 12 insurgents, according to Sayed Iqbal Munib, the governor of Ghor Province.
But American officials Friday said the strike killed up to 16 militants and no civilians.
Notice that many (probably most) of the civilian death incidents take place in Western Afghanistan . . . where US troops haven't gone (it is the Italian, Spanish, and other allied country zone), and where the ANP and ANA are few.
ReplyDeleteWestern Afghanistan is also one of the most anti Taliban, anti Al Qaeda places on the planet in terms of public sentiment. This hasn't prevented large numbers of Al Qaeda and the Taliban from entering the west and causing havac.
Now, Obama is sending US troops to the west for the first time (advisors for the ANA and ANP.) The 207th ANA Corps has two brigades in the West (the older of which might be the worst quality brigade in the ANA.) It needs a third brigade. When will it get its third brigade?
We will send you over as a down payment you little bastard
ReplyDeletev, do you support violent attacks against the Afghan Army and Police?
ReplyDeleteCurrently the ANA has 14 combat manouver brigades. The 15th brigade will either go to 203rd Corps or the 207th Corps (Western Afghanistan.) I think it goes to 203rd Corps. The 16th brigade probably goes to 207th ANA Corps in the West.
Until the 3rd ANA brigade comes west, many more Afghan civilians in the West will probably die. I hope their families know peace.