US airstrike kills five in central Afghanistan: Officials

An airstrike by American forces in central Afghanistan has killed at least five people as anti-US sentiments are rising over the loss of civilian lives at the hands of foreign forces.
Provincial government spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said the attack took place in Band-e-chek district, in the central province of Wardak.

US-led Western military alliance has confirmed the raid and killings. It is the second airstrike in the troubled region in recent weeks.

The US-led military coalition said that militants had been killed in the raid, but there has not been an official statement from any militant group confirming the accounts.

US claims that its airstrikes target militants, but local sources say civilians have been the main victims of the attacks.
The loss of civilian lives at the hands of US-led foreign forces has dramatically increased anti-American sentiments in Afghanistan, triggering anti-US protests across the country.

The issue is also a major source of friction between Kabul and Washington.

The escalating human cost of the war is putting a great deal of pressure on NATO member states to withdraw their troops.

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 years into the invasion, insecurity continues to rise across the country despite the presence of thousands of foreign troops in the war-weary nation.

Source: PressTV