A Battlefield Tourist

US: “Taliban Responsible For Casualties in Farah”

May 12 at 12:12pm by David Tate

A US statement just released points the blame at Taliban insurgents for the deaths and maiming of dozens of civilians with white phosphorus (WP) munitions.  This is the latest in a PR blitz countering claims that the US military used WP against insurgents and civilians late last week.

KABUL, Afghanistan –An ongoing joint Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces investigation team found evidence Friday of non-combatant casualties caused by Taliban fighters’ actions in Farah province.

Investigators interviewed the Surgeon and staff of the Farah Hospital and the three doctors on duty on Tuesday.  They treated 16 patients, five ANP and 11 civilians, for flash burns and small lacerations.  Afghan doctors said injuries could have resulted from hand grenades or exploding propane tanks. 

Local doctors also confirmed that the Taliban were fighting from the roof tops while forcing the locals to remain in their compounds.  Locals receiving medical treatment repeated this information to the doctors several times.  The doctors also received a call, while the investigators where present, indicating that the Taliban extremists had executed another civilian in the same village. 

A large number of Taliban fighters, to include non-Afghans, consolidated on Ganj Abad and Grani villages Sunday, and demanded payments from villagers.   The fighters executed three civilians to trigger a response from the Afghan Police that they could ambush.

“We regret the loss of any civilian life,” said Col. Greg Julian. “But we strongly condemn the brutality of the Taliban extremists deliberately targeting Afghan civilians and using them as human shields.” 

At least nine children and one teacher at a girls’ school were injured when militants attacked an ISAF base in Kunar province yesterday morning with two rounds of indirect fire.  A suicide bomber also killed 16 civilians and injured 31 others in Helmand late Friday.