UN Voices concern Over Reported Afghan Civilian Casualties

Media reports suggest that up to 100 civilians, including women and children, were killed in air strikes carried out by United States and coalition forces against Taliban fighters.

Flag of Afghanistan Courtesy: vipis.org

(KABUL, Afghanistan) - The top United Nations official in Afghanistan today expressed his serious concern about reports of civilian casualties and fighting that took place in the country’s western Farah province on Monday.

“Details of the incident remain unclear, including the number of civilians that have lost their lives,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative Kai Eide said in a statement issued in Kabul.

Media reports suggest that up to 100 civilians, including women and children, were killed in air strikes carried out by United States and coalition forces against Taliban fighters.

Mr. Eide, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), said the UN is making every effort to help bring clarity to the situation, and he welcomed efforts by the Afghan Government and the international military to do the same.

The Special Representative added that he remains in close contact with General David McKiernan, the Commander of the UN-mandated International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) as well as US Forces in Afghanistan, as investigations proceed.

Source: United Nations