US to open investigation into Afghan deaths
Monday, 08 Sep 2008 18:36
A senior US commander in Afghanistan has called for inquiry into the deaths
A senior US commander in Afghanistan has called for an inquiry into air raids which the United Nations (UN) and Afghan sources claim led to deaths of 90 civilians.
General David McKiernan, head of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said yesterday that emerging evidence regarding the incident in the Herat province meant an official inquiry was required.
The US military has continually rejected reports of large civilian casualties in the attacks on August 22nd, claiming that only five to seven civilians were killed along with over 30 members of the Taliban.
In a statement on Sunday, Gen McKiernan said: "I feel it is prudent to request that US central command send a general officer to review the US investigation and its findings with respect to the new evidence."
Amateur footage has surfaced of the aftermath of the attack, allegedly showing children amongst the dead lined up in a mosque to be buried.
If confirmed, the incident would represent one of the deadliest attacks involving civilians since the US led forces were deployed in Afghanistan seven years ago.