U.S. apologises for Afghan civilians killed by coalition airstrikes

By Mail Foreign Service
Updated: 02:59 EST, 18 September 2008


The U.S. Defence Secretary has apologised for the deaths of Afghan civilians in American airstrikes and pledged to improve targeting.

After meeting Afghan president Hamid Karzai and other senior government officials, Robert Gates said: 'As I told them, I offer all Afghans my sincere condolences and personal regret for the recent loss of innocent life as a result of coalition airstrikes.'

Mr Gates said U.S. forces take extraordinary precautions to avoid civilian deaths, but said: 'It is clear that we have to work even harder.'

Sorry: Robert Gates speaks to the media after looking over an A-10 'Warthog' during an unannounced visit to Afghanistan

Sorry: Robert Gates speaks to the media after looking over an A-10 'Warthog' during an unannounced visit to Afghanistan

There has been rising anger in Afghanistan at coalition forces and the U.S.-backed government over scores of civilian casualties in recent airstrikes, including many women and children.


The U.S. military is investigating claims that a strike on a village compound on August 22 killed 90 civilians.

The commander of international forces in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan, has said he needed up to 15,000 more U.S. troops on top of 5,000 planned reinforcements to avoid a longer and deadlier war.

He said a troop shortage is forcing commanders to rely on air combat, which can cause more civilian deaths.

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