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Afghan troops 'killed by US friendly fire' | Afghan troops 'killed by US friendly fire' |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least eight Afghan soldiers have been killed in a US air strike on an army checkpoint in Logar province south of Kabul, Afghan officials say. | At least eight Afghan soldiers have been killed in a US air strike on an army checkpoint in Logar province south of Kabul, Afghan officials say. |
They say two US helicopters attacked the checkpoint in broad daylight on Monday. Several troops were injured. | They say two US helicopters attacked the checkpoint in broad daylight on Monday. Several troops were injured. |
The army commander in the area told the BBC that the checkpoint was clearly flying an Afghan flag. | |
Logar is an unsettled area where much of the countryside is in the hands of the Taliban. | |
There is no confirmation that Monday's strike was carried out by international forces, although local witnesses said it was, the BBC's David Loyn in Kabul reports. | |
The Afghan army does have some attack helicopters. The US said it was investigating the incident. | |
There are about 10,000 international troops in Afghanistan who are training and advising Afghan forces. | There are about 10,000 international troops in Afghanistan who are training and advising Afghan forces. |
Their fighting role is limited to special forces operations now that Nato's combat mission has ended. | Their fighting role is limited to special forces operations now that Nato's combat mission has ended. |
Civilian and military deaths in coalition air strikes have been a contentious issue in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion of the country in 2001. They have provoked anger from the government and from many Afghan people. | |
The latest violence comes amid an increase in Taliban attacks on government and foreign targets during their summer offensive. | |
Last week Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar backed peace talks with the government. | |
The two sides agreed to meet again in the coming weeks, drawing international praise. |