The Afghan government accused US forces of killing up to 14 security guards for a construction company in the eastern province of Khost Nov. 10. The US says the victims were militants who were carrying rocket-propelled grenades and opened fire on coalition forces. US-led troops responded with ground fire and helicopter attack. President Hamid Karzai released a statement condemning the actions of the US forces involved in the fight.

Last week, Karzai called on US President-elect Barack Obama to put an end to civilian casualties in Afghanistan. (Radio Australia, Nov. 10)

See our last post on civilian casualties in Afghanistan.