Afghanistan

Afghan soldiers mistakenly killed by coalition forces

Article published on the 2008-10-22 Latest update 2008-10-22 13:11 TU

Afghan soldiers in training
(Photo: S. Malibeaux/RFI)

International coalition forces killed nine Afghan soldiers on Wednesday in an air strike in Khost province, eastern Afghanistan after foreign soldiers accidentally targeted the soldiers, who were providing security for voter registration. Three other Afghan soldiers were also wounded in the incident. The coalition troops have been accused of relying too heavily on air power, often resulting in civilian casualties.

"Such tragic and painful events would weaken the morale of the national security forces and could hamper the national army development," the Afghan National Defence Ministry said in a statement, strongly condemning the incident.

The US military admitted that the international force "may have mistakenly killed and injured" Afghan soldiers. It added that the accident was under investigation.

The soldiers who fired on the Afghan troops were returning from another mission, and were involved in multiple engagements, US Colonel Greg Julian, a spokesman for the coalition, told French wire service AFP.

"As a result of the engagements, Afghan National Army soldiers were killed and injured. Initial reports from troops on the ground indicate that this may be a case of mistaken identity on both sides," said Julian.

There are currently 60,000 coalition soldiers on the ground to fight the Taliban militants. The Taliban has put increasing pressure on the foreign forces, stepping up attacks over the past year.