NINE KILLED IN US AIRSTRIKE IN E AFGHANISTAN

Kabul, 16 Rabi’ul Awwal 1435/18 January 2014 (MINA) – Local sources said on Saturday that the US airstrike hit an area in the province of Nuristan, eastern Afghanistan at least nine people have been killed.

However, Taliban have made no comments on the fatal incident so far. Press Tv reported as quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).

On January 14, a similar US airstrike in Parwan Province killed seven children and one woman.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai strongly condemned the aerial attack and ordered an investigation into the incident, which also left a dozen people wounded.

Many people have lost their lives in US-led airstrikes and operations in various parts of Afghanistan since the invasion of the country in 2001, with Afghans becoming increasingly outraged at the deadly assaults.

The United States claims the airstrikes target militants, but local sources say civilians have been the main victims.

The Afghan president has repeatedly questioned the legality of the US drone strikes and on numerous occasions has called on Washington to stop the attacks.

The United Nations says the US-operated drone strikes pose a growing challenge to the international rule of law.

Washington had promised to withdraw all combat forces from Afghanistan by 2014. However, it has been locked in tricky negotiations with Kabul over a strategic partnership beyond 2014.

The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but insecurity remains across the country. (T/P03/P012/P04/mirajnews.com)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)