Wednesday, August 27, 2008

UN Investigation Finds US Bombs Kill 90 Civilians in Afghanistan

From the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (26.08.2008)

"Following reports of large numbers of civilian casualties caused during military operations in Shindand district of Herat province, UNAMA’s human rights team has now returned from a mission to the affected area to investigate these reports.

This team met with the District Governor and local elders yesterday. They also interviewed people from a number of households in Nawabad village who confirmed to us that at around midnight on the 21st August, foreign and Afghan military personnel entered the village of Nawabad in the Azizabad area of Shindand district. Military operations lasted several hours during which air strikes were called in. The destruction from aerial bombardment was clearly evident with some 7-8 houses having been totally destroyed and serious damage to many others. Local residents were able to confirm the number of casualties, including names, age and gender of the victims.

Investigations by UNAMA found convincing evidence, based on the testimony of eyewitnesses, and others, that some 90 civilians were killed, including 60 children, 15 women and 15 men. 15 other villagers were wounded or otherwise injured."

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