NATO promises to comply with Hamid Karzai's air raid decree

Iran Press TV

Sun Feb 17, 2013 4:3PM GMT

The commander of US-led forces in Afghanistan has said he would comply with President Hamid Karzai's recent decree banning Afghan security forces from seeking assistance from foreign troops in conducting air raids.

US commander in Afghanistan General Joseph Dunford made the statement following a NATO air raid in eastern Afghanistan that claimed the lives of 10 civilians, including women and children, late Wednesday.

'We are prepared to provide support in line with the president's intent,' Dunford said in Kabul, adding 'I get the broad guidance from the president and we will work out the details in the coming days.'

Meanwhile, security sources have criticized a new ban on air raids, saying it would make the battle against Taliban militants a harder task.

On Saturday, Karzai banned Afghan forces from calling on US-led soldiers to carry out air strikes on 'homes and villages."

Also on Saturday, Afghans staged a protest rally in central province of Wardak against the death of a student in an overnight raid by US-led forces.

The US-led war in Afghanistan began in October 2001. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but insecurity continues to rise across the country despite the presence of about 100,000 foreign forces.

The United Nations announced in February 2012 that 2011 was the deadliest year on record for Afghan civilians. The death toll rose eight percent compared to the year before and was roughly double the figure for 2007.

SZH/JR