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US Afghan strikes 'killed dozens' US Afghan strikes 'killed dozens'
(about 2 hours later)
The Red Cross says air strikes by US forces in Afghanistan on Tuesday are now thought to have killed dozens of civilians including women and children. US air strikes in Afghanistan on Tuesday killed dozens of civilians including women and children, officials from the Red Cross have said.
It says civilians were sheltering from fighting in the western province of Farah when their houses were struck. Afghan officials in Farah province, in the west of Afghanistan, told the BBC as many as 100 civilians may have died.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai, in the US for talks with President Barack Obama, has ordered an investigation. The civilians were said to have been hit while sheltering from fighting.
Civilian deaths will be high on the agenda at the White House, where talks will also include Pakistan's president. Afghan President Hamid Karzai, in the US for talks with President Barack Obama and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, has ordered an investigation.
Civilian deaths will be high on the agenda at the White House for Mr Karzai, who has repeatedly urged Western forces in Afghanistan to reduce the number of civilian casualties.
Mr Obama will hold bilateral talks with Mr Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, before all three hold a joint meeting.Mr Obama will hold bilateral talks with Mr Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, before all three hold a joint meeting.
The Afghan president has repeatedly urged Western forces in Afghanistan to reduce the number of civilian casualties.
And the BBC's Martin Patience, in Kabul, says the Washington talks could be overshadowed if the Red Cross report of dozens of civilian deaths is confirmed.And the BBC's Martin Patience, in Kabul, says the Washington talks could be overshadowed if the Red Cross report of dozens of civilian deaths is confirmed.
More than 40,000 have migrated from Mingora since Tuesday afternoon Khushhal KhanChief administration officer, Swat Swat exodus as ceasefire crumblesMore than 40,000 have migrated from Mingora since Tuesday afternoon Khushhal KhanChief administration officer, Swat Swat exodus as ceasefire crumbles
Mr Zardari arrives in Washington facing a growing crisis in his own country amid a new outbreak of fighting between the army and Taleban rebels in the Swat Valley region.Mr Zardari arrives in Washington facing a growing crisis in his own country amid a new outbreak of fighting between the army and Taleban rebels in the Swat Valley region.
Thousands of residents there are reported to be fleeing their homes as a peace deal between the government and Taleban militants appears close to collapse. Thousands of residents there are reported to be fleeing their homes as a peace deal between the government and Taleban militants appears on the verge of collapse.
Fighting flared overnight in Mingora, the main town in Swat, and continued into Wednesday, reports said. Fighting flared overnight in Mingora, the main town in Swat, and continued into Wednesday, with reports of helicopter gunships bombarding militant positions.
The government has warned that 500,000 people could try to leave if the peace deal formally breaks down, although the BBC's Mark Dummett, in Islamabad, says the army has not yet launched the offensive most are now expecting.The government has warned that 500,000 people could try to leave if the peace deal formally breaks down, although the BBC's Mark Dummett, in Islamabad, says the army has not yet launched the offensive most are now expecting.
See a map of the region
On Tuesday the US envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, told a congressional hearing in Washington that Pakistan must do more to combat the Taleban.On Tuesday the US envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, told a congressional hearing in Washington that Pakistan must do more to combat the Taleban.
'Sheltering''Sheltering'
Afghan officials said Tuesday's violence broke out after more than 100 Taleban militants attacked a police checkpoint in Farah, in the far west of Afghanistan, killing three police.Afghan officials said Tuesday's violence broke out after more than 100 Taleban militants attacked a police checkpoint in Farah, in the far west of Afghanistan, killing three police.
The insurgents then reportedly moved to a nearby village where they killed three civilians who they accused of spying for the government.The insurgents then reportedly moved to a nearby village where they killed three civilians who they accused of spying for the government.
As the fighting continued, US airstrikes targeted militants thought to be sheltering in nearby houses. At least 25 Taleban fighters were reported to have died.As the fighting continued, US airstrikes targeted militants thought to be sheltering in nearby houses. At least 25 Taleban fighters were reported to have died.
But a growing number of reports from the area now suggest civilians were also seeking refuge in the buildings.But a growing number of reports from the area now suggest civilians were also seeking refuge in the buildings.
Our correspondent in Kabul said local officials told him they saw the bodies of about 20 women and children in two trucks.Our correspondent in Kabul said local officials told him they saw the bodies of about 20 women and children in two trucks.
Officials and police sources in Farah later said they estimated the number of dead at around 100. US, Afghan and Red Cross teams were working to establish the precise number of civilians killed.
A spokeswoman for the International Committee of the Red Cross said a team of observers sent to the site of the air strikes saw houses destroyed and dozens of dead bodies, including women and children.A spokeswoman for the International Committee of the Red Cross said a team of observers sent to the site of the air strikes saw houses destroyed and dozens of dead bodies, including women and children.
"We can absolutely confirm there were civilian casualties," Jessica Barry said."We can absolutely confirm there were civilian casualties," Jessica Barry said.
"It seemed they were trying to shelter in houses when they were hit.""It seemed they were trying to shelter in houses when they were hit."
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
The governor of Farah province, Rohul Amin, backed the Red Cross verdict that civilians died in the air strikes, but could not confirm numbers.The governor of Farah province, Rohul Amin, backed the Red Cross verdict that civilians died in the air strikes, but could not confirm numbers.
Regional politicians told news agencies that as many as 150 people had been killed, but there was no independent confirmation of that figure.
The US military said coalition troops were called to assist Afghan forces as they attempted to fight off an insurgent attack.The US military said coalition troops were called to assist Afghan forces as they attempted to fight off an insurgent attack.
A spokeswoman, Capt Elizabeth Mathias, said she was "extremely concerned" by the reports of high casualties.A spokeswoman, Capt Elizabeth Mathias, said she was "extremely concerned" by the reports of high casualties.
"I actually sent an investigation team out to that region this morning and I expect them to be on the ground a little bit later this afternoon, and hopefully have some more information for us at that time," she said."I actually sent an investigation team out to that region this morning and I expect them to be on the ground a little bit later this afternoon, and hopefully have some more information for us at that time," she said.