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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| US admits Afghan airstrike errors | US admits Afghan airstrike errors |
| (about 15 hours later) | |
| Failure by US forces to follow their own rules was the "likely" cause of civilian deaths in Afghan airstrikes last month, a US military report says. | Failure by US forces to follow their own rules was the "likely" cause of civilian deaths in Afghan airstrikes last month, a US military report says. |
| US officials looked at seven strikes on Taliban targets in Farah province on 4 May, and concluded that three had not complied with military guidelines. | |
| The report accepts that at least 26 civilians died, but acknowledges that the real figure could be much higher. | The report accepts that at least 26 civilians died, but acknowledges that the real figure could be much higher. |
| The Afghan government has said 140 civilians were killed in the strikes. | The Afghan government has said 140 civilians were killed in the strikes. |
| Washington and Kabul have been at loggerheads for weeks over the number of civilians killed in the incident. | Washington and Kabul have been at loggerheads for weeks over the number of civilians killed in the incident. |
| ANALYSIS James Coomarasamy | ANALYSIS James Coomarasamy |
| The report's conclusions are couched in caveats, but by releasing it late on a Friday afternoon the Pentagon has underlined its embarrassment at what may be the worst case of civilian deaths since coalition forces entered the country in 2001. | The report's conclusions are couched in caveats, but by releasing it late on a Friday afternoon the Pentagon has underlined its embarrassment at what may be the worst case of civilian deaths since coalition forces entered the country in 2001. |
| As well as acknowledging that there was a failure to follow strict military guidelines, the report recommends unspecified steps to be taken to refine that guidance and urges a greater engagement in the public relations battle. | As well as acknowledging that there was a failure to follow strict military guidelines, the report recommends unspecified steps to be taken to refine that guidance and urges a greater engagement in the public relations battle. |
| It states that the coalition should be "first with the truth". | It states that the coalition should be "first with the truth". |
| Yet the report also calls into question whether the true number of civilian deaths, in this incident, will ever be known. | Yet the report also calls into question whether the true number of civilian deaths, in this incident, will ever be known. |
| It sticks with the US military's initial estimate of 26, but describes a report by the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission, which speaks of at least 86 civilian casualties, as "balanced" and "thorough". | It sticks with the US military's initial estimate of 26, but describes a report by the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission, which speaks of at least 86 civilian casualties, as "balanced" and "thorough". |
| The US report defends the Farah operation, saying the use of force "was an appropriate means to destroy that enemy threat". | The US report defends the Farah operation, saying the use of force "was an appropriate means to destroy that enemy threat". |
| "However, the inability to discern the presence of civilians and avoid and/or minimise accompanying collateral damage resulted in the unintended consequence of civilian casualties," the report says. | "However, the inability to discern the presence of civilians and avoid and/or minimise accompanying collateral damage resulted in the unintended consequence of civilian casualties," the report says. |
| It says the final three strikes of the engagement, which took place after dark, did not adhere to "specific guidance" in the controlling directive. | It says the final three strikes of the engagement, which took place after dark, did not adhere to "specific guidance" in the controlling directive. |
| "Not applying all of that guidance likely resulted in civilian casualties," the report says. | "Not applying all of that guidance likely resulted in civilian casualties," the report says. |
| It concedes that the precise number of civilians killed in the attack may never be known because many victims were buried before the investigation started. | It concedes that the precise number of civilians killed in the attack may never be known because many victims were buried before the investigation started. |
| The document makes a number of recommendations to reduce the likelihood of civilian deaths. | The document makes a number of recommendations to reduce the likelihood of civilian deaths. |
| It says lines of communication must be improved, new guidelines should be introduced and personnel need to be retrained. | It says lines of communication must be improved, new guidelines should be introduced and personnel need to be retrained. |
| Gen Stanley McChrystal, the US commander in Afghanistan, is currently reviewing US rules in relation to airstrikes. | Gen Stanley McChrystal, the US commander in Afghanistan, is currently reviewing US rules in relation to airstrikes. |
| He said last month that US forces should use them only if the lives of Nato personnel or American troops were clearly at risk. | He said last month that US forces should use them only if the lives of Nato personnel or American troops were clearly at risk. |
| Both Nato and US have have insisted that avoiding civilian casualties is their priority in all battles. | Both Nato and US have have insisted that avoiding civilian casualties is their priority in all battles. |