 Civilian casualties in Afghanistan must be reduced, the newly appointed commander of US and Nato-led troops Gen Stanley McChrystal has told the BBC. He said both preventing and investigating incidents where civilians were hit would be a priority.
Earlier, a UN report said the number of civilians killed so far this year had risen 24% on the same period last year. The UN said insurgent bombings and air strikes by international forces were the biggest killers. There has been widespread concern in Afghanistan about civilian death tolls.
In June the US military called for better training in an effort to reduce the numbers of civilian deaths. The Taliban also issued a new code of conduct earlier this week which says fighters should minimise civilian casualties. (See civilian casualties in graphics) Gen McChrystal, the new commander of US and Nato-led troops in Afghanistan, said civilian casualties were "deeply concerning" and something he "would love to say we'd get to zero". -
BBC |
E-mail