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US 'errors' over Afghan air raids US 'errors' over Afghan air raids
(about 4 hours later)
A US military inquiry has uncovered serious mistakes made when US forces bombed suspected Taliban positions in Afghanistan in May, media reports say.A US military inquiry has uncovered serious mistakes made when US forces bombed suspected Taliban positions in Afghanistan in May, media reports say.
Dozens of civilians were killed in the air strikes in western Farah province.Dozens of civilians were killed in the air strikes in western Farah province.
The New York Times quotes a senior US official saying some of the raids would have been called off, had the rules of engagement been followed strictly. Some of the raids would have been called off, had the rules of engagement been followed strictly, an official is quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, the general named as the next US commander in Afghanistan has said civilian deaths must be reduced.Meanwhile, the general named as the next US commander in Afghanistan has said civilian deaths must be reduced.
Gen Stanley McChrystal said civilian casualties caused by US and Nato-led forces could alienate the Afghan people.Gen Stanley McChrystal said civilian casualties caused by US and Nato-led forces could alienate the Afghan people.
Civilian casualties are causing growing public outrage in Afghanistan and friction between the US and Afghan governments.Civilian casualties are causing growing public outrage in Afghanistan and friction between the US and Afghan governments.
The publication of the US military report is expected later this week.The publication of the US military report is expected later this week.
Compound struckCompound struck
The Afghan government says 140 people were killed in the Farah strikes in early May, while the Americans say 20-30 people died.The Afghan government says 140 people were killed in the Farah strikes in early May, while the Americans say 20-30 people died.
Had the rules been followed, at least some of the strikes by American warplanes... would have been aborted New York Times Afghan anger at deadly US strikesHad the rules been followed, at least some of the strikes by American warplanes... would have been aborted New York Times Afghan anger at deadly US strikes
The New York Times said the report on the strikes represented "the clearest American acknowledgment of fault in connection with the attacks".The New York Times said the report on the strikes represented "the clearest American acknowledgment of fault in connection with the attacks".
"American personnel made significant errors in carrying out some of the air strikes in western Afghanistan on May 4 that killed dozens of Afghan civilians," the report said, citing an unnamed senior US military official."American personnel made significant errors in carrying out some of the air strikes in western Afghanistan on May 4 that killed dozens of Afghan civilians," the report said, citing an unnamed senior US military official.
"In several instances where there was a legitimate threat, the choice of how to deal with that threat did not comply with the standing rules of engagement," the official was quoted as saying."In several instances where there was a legitimate threat, the choice of how to deal with that threat did not comply with the standing rules of engagement," the official was quoted as saying.
In one case, a compound of buildings where suspected militants were massing was struck, even though it was in a densely populated area and there was no imminent threat, the paper said. "Errors were made," in the attack, the Associated Press also quoted an official as saying.
In one case, a compound of buildings where suspected militants were massing was struck, even though it was in a densely populated area and there was no imminent threat, the New York Times said.
"Had the rules been followed, at least some of the strikes by American warplanes against half a dozen targets over a seven-hour period would have been aborted," the article said."Had the rules been followed, at least some of the strikes by American warplanes against half a dozen targets over a seven-hour period would have been aborted," the article said.
Change in strategyChange in strategy
Gen McChrystal, currently the director of US Joint Chiefs of Staff, was named last month to replace Gen David McKiernan and is currently undergoing confirmation hearings in the US Senate.Gen McChrystal, currently the director of US Joint Chiefs of Staff, was named last month to replace Gen David McKiernan and is currently undergoing confirmation hearings in the US Senate.
Gen McChrystal: 'Critical point'Gen McChrystal: 'Critical point'
His appointment comes as the US boosts troop numbers in Afghanistan and prepares for a change in strategy.His appointment comes as the US boosts troop numbers in Afghanistan and prepares for a change in strategy.
Gen McKiernan's time as US commander in Afghanistan has coincided with a surge in violence.Gen McKiernan's time as US commander in Afghanistan has coincided with a surge in violence.
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said his replacement would bring "fresh thinking, fresh eyes" to the problem.US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said his replacement would bring "fresh thinking, fresh eyes" to the problem.
On Tuesday, Gen McChrystal told senators: "If defeating an insurgent formation produces popular resentment, the victory is hollow and unsustainable."On Tuesday, Gen McChrystal told senators: "If defeating an insurgent formation produces popular resentment, the victory is hollow and unsustainable."
He added: "This is a critical point. It may be the critical point. This is a struggle for the support of the Afghan people.He added: "This is a critical point. It may be the critical point. This is a struggle for the support of the Afghan people.
"Our willingness to operate in ways that minimise casualties or damage - even when doing so makes our task more difficult - is essential to our credibility," he said."Our willingness to operate in ways that minimise casualties or damage - even when doing so makes our task more difficult - is essential to our credibility," he said.
"With the appropriate resources, time, sacrifice and patience, we can prevail.""With the appropriate resources, time, sacrifice and patience, we can prevail."
Gen McChrystal warned that Afghanistan would descend back into civil war and al-Qaeda would use the country as a base if the United States and its allies failed in their mission.Gen McChrystal warned that Afghanistan would descend back into civil war and al-Qaeda would use the country as a base if the United States and its allies failed in their mission.