An investigation by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has found that some 90 civilians, including 60 children, were among those killed during military operations in the strife-torn nation’s western Herat province last week. A team of human rights officers from UNAMA went to Herat’s Shindand district to investigate reports that large numbers of civilian casualties were sustained during operations conducted by foreign and Afghan military personnel around midnight on August 21. They found “convincing evidence, based on the testimony of eyewitnesses, and others,” that some 90 civilians were killed – including 60 children, 15 women and 15 men – and another 15 villagers wounded. According to the people interviewed by UNAMA, the military operations lasted several hours during which air strikes were called in. “The destruction from aerial bombardment was clearly evident with some 7-8 houses having been totally destroyed and serious damage to many others. Local residents were able to confirm the number of casualties, including names, age and gender of the victims,” the mission said.
90 AFGHAN CIVILIANS KILLED
An investigation by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has found that some 90 civilians, including 60 children, were among those killed during military operations in the strife-torn nation’s western Herat province last week.
