US-led foreign forces in Afghanistan have started a massive military operation in the southern province of Kandahar, causing extensive damage– especially to civilian property.
The western military alliance has said it used a new powerful bomb during the operation. It claims the weapon targeted road-side bombs planted by Taliban militants.
Witnesses say NATO bombs have damaged villagers’ houses and farms– the residents’ only source of income. A number of local people have also been arrested.
The development came as the United Nations announced that Afghan civilian deaths have soared by over 30 percent in 2010 compared to the same period last year.
This is while anti-US sentiments are on the rise with Afghanistan and regional countries condemning US-led operations that have claimed the lives of civilians on a daily basis.
The invasion of Afghanistan was launched with the official objective of curbing militancy and bringing peace and stability to the country.
Nine years on, however, American and Afghan officials admit that the country remains unstable as civilians continue to pay the heaviest toll.
The escalating human cost of the war is putting a great deal of pressure on NATO member states to withdraw their troops.
Witnesses say NATO bombs have damaged villagers’ houses and farms– the residents’ only source of income. A number of local people have also been arrested.
The development came as the United Nations announced that Afghan civilian deaths have soared by over 30 percent in 2010 compared to the same period last year.
This is while anti-US sentiments are on the rise with Afghanistan and regional countries condemning US-led operations that have claimed the lives of civilians on a daily basis.
The invasion of Afghanistan was launched with the official objective of curbing militancy and bringing peace and stability to the country.
Nine years on, however, American and Afghan officials admit that the country remains unstable as civilians continue to pay the heaviest toll.
The escalating human cost of the war is putting a great deal of pressure on NATO member states to withdraw their troops.
Source: Press TV
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