Afgahanistan: civilian deaths mar Operation Moshtarak
Two NATO rockets aimed at Taliban insurgents in Helmand province missed their target Feb. 14, killing 12 civilians sheltering in their home. The incident occurred in Nad Ali, where British troops are operating. A UK Ministry of Defence representative said the rockets were a "US responsibility." The new anti-Taliban offensive Operation Moshtarak (meaning "together" in the Dari language) involves 15,000 troops, mostly US, British and Afghan, targeting the areas of Nad Ali and Marjah. (The Guardian, AOL News, BBC News, Feb. 14)
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Taliban destroy US tanks?
The Unjust Media website includes numerous reports of successful attacks against US and NATO forces by the "Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan," including boasts of some 20 tanks "destroyed" in recent days.
Malalai Joya on Operation Moshtarak
Malalai Joya had this to say about Operation Moshtarak in The Independent, Feb. 15:
Afghanistan: NATO wipes out more civlians
At least 27 civilians died in a NATO air-strike in southern Afghanistan, the Afghan cabinet said Feb. 22. NATO said it hit a suspected insurgent convoy, but ground forces later found "a number of individuals killed and wounded," including women and children. The attack, in Uruzgan province, was not part of a major NATO-led push in neighboring Helmand province. (BBC News, Feb. 22)