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Afghan Forces, in Deadly Week, Killed by Allied Airstrike Afghan Forces Killed in Friendly-Fire Airstrike, Capping Deadly Week
(about 11 hours later)
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Culminating a deadly week for Afghan forces in the south of the country, an allied airstrike mistakenly struck an Afghan unit in Helmand Province on Sunday, killing at least 10 security personnel, officials said. KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Culminating a deadly week for Afghan forces in the south of the country, an airstrike from friendly forces mistakenly struck an Afghan unit in Helmand Province on Sunday, killing at least 10 security personnel, officials said.
The latest losses to the Afghan forces in Helmand comes on the back of heavy fighting and attacks in neighboring provinces of Uruzgan, Kandahar, and Farah, which left dozens of soldiers and police officers dead. The Afghan defense ministry says varying degrees of fighting is taking place in 20 of the country’s 34 provinces, with intense violence in eight of them. The latest Afghan losses in Helmand come on the back of heavy fighting and attacks in the neighboring provinces of Uruzgan, Kandahar and Farah, which left dozens of soldiers and police officers dead. The Afghan Defense Ministry says fighting is taking place in 20 of the country’s 34 provinces, with intense violence in eight of them.
Omar Zwak, a spokesman for the governor of Helmand, said 10 people had been killed when the airstrike struck an Afghan police unit. He said the strike was part of an operation to clear areas in the Gereshk district threatened by the Taliban and advance government’s control beyond the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah. Other officials said the number of casualties, and which arm of the Afghan security forces they involved, was still being figured out. Omar Zwak, a spokesman for the governor of Helmand, said 10 people had been killed when the airstrike struck an Afghan police unit. He said the strike was part of an operation to clear areas in the Gereshk district threatened by the Taliban and advance the government’s control beyond the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah. Other officials said the number of casualties, and which arm of the Afghan security forces they involved, was still being figured out.
Both the Afghan and American militaries use air power. “We are investigating which air force had carried out the strike,” Mr. Zwak said. Both the Afghan and American militaries use air power. “We are investigating which air force had carried out the strike,” Mr. Zwak said. Defense Ministry officials have told the local news media that Afghan aircraft were responsible.
Maj. Kendra Motz, a spokeswoman for the American Marine advisory mission in Helmand Province, said the strike had not been carried out by American forces.Maj. Kendra Motz, a spokeswoman for the American Marine advisory mission in Helmand Province, said the strike had not been carried out by American forces.
In July, another airstrike in Gereshk district killed more than a dozen police officers. The Pentagon has confirmed that strike was carried out by United States aircraft. In July, another airstrike in the Gereshk district killed more than a dozen police officers. The Pentagon has confirmed that strike was carried out by United States aircraft.
In neighboring Uruzgan Province, days of intense fighting has left at least 27 members of the security forces dead, according to Amir Mohammed Barakzai, head of the provincial council there. The Taliban have made a push for complete takeover of Chora district, large parts of which they control already. In neighboring Uruzgan Province, days of intense fighting has left at least 27 members of the security forces dead, according to Amir Mohammed Barakzai, head of the provincial council there. The Taliban have made a push for complete takeover of the Chora district, large parts of which they control already.
“Yesterday, our forces tried to land in the district compound, but they couldn’t make it,” Mr. Barakzai said. “Finally, last night, Afghan forces along with foreign forces managed to drop their men there.”“Yesterday, our forces tried to land in the district compound, but they couldn’t make it,” Mr. Barakzai said. “Finally, last night, Afghan forces along with foreign forces managed to drop their men there.”
The fighting in Uruzgan, as well as Taliban pressure on medical workers, has already forced the closing of almost all of the health facilities in the province.The fighting in Uruzgan, as well as Taliban pressure on medical workers, has already forced the closing of almost all of the health facilities in the province.
Fighting in provinces of Kandahar and Farah have also inflicted heavy casualties. Fighting in the provinces of Kandahar and Farah have also inflicted heavy casualties.
In Kandahar earlier in the week, the Taliban rammed a Humvee stolen from the Afghan forces and packed with explosives into the district compound of Maruf district. The provincial government publicly acknowledged that 12 security personnel had been killed and four wounded. But officials said privately that the casualties could be as high as 30. In Kandahar earlier in the week, the Taliban rammed a Humvee stolen from the Afghan forces and packed with explosives into the government compound of the Maruf district. The provincial government publicly acknowledged that 12 security personnel had been killed and four wounded. But officials said privately that the casualties could be as high as 30.
In Farah Province, where fighting has raged in at least three districts, 24 police officers have been killed and three wounded in the past week, officials said.In Farah Province, where fighting has raged in at least three districts, 24 police officers have been killed and three wounded in the past week, officials said.
The north of the country has not been much quieter.The north of the country has not been much quieter.
Heavy fighting has continued in the Seya Gerd district of Parwan Province for several days now, with the Taliban claiming they have captured the area but security forces saying they are still resisting and trying to regain the outposts lost to them.Heavy fighting has continued in the Seya Gerd district of Parwan Province for several days now, with the Taliban claiming they have captured the area but security forces saying they are still resisting and trying to regain the outposts lost to them.
In Faryab Province, officials said on Saturday they had finally broken the siege around a security base in Ghormach district, where about 500 personnel had remained surrounded for nearly two months. In Faryab Province, officials said on Saturday they had finally broken the siege around a security base in the Ghormach district, where about 500 personnel had remained surrounded for nearly two months.