Remember Afghanistan - you know that war to find Usama Bin Laden?
I just found this in the Toronto Star which shows the success of the US bombing its way to the hearts and minds of the local population.
KABUL -- An air strike on a suspected insurgent camp in central Afghanistan killed three civilians and four militants, the U.S. military said today.
All seven died when warplanes attacked the camp in Uruzgan province on Friday, a military statement said.
"The attack killed one Afghan woman, one Afghan man and a child," the statement said. Two more children were wounded and taken to the U.S. base in the southern city of Kandahar for treatment, it said.
The military didn't say whether U.S. planes carried out the attack or give details of the victims. A spokeswoman had no further details.
As a Canadian, I feel somewhat frustrated by the US actions here - especially after the needless deaths of Canadian soldiers a few years ago.
Although the "American commanders insist they modify their operations to try to avoid hurting civilians and accuse militants of using civilians for protection..." I must honestly admit that I am extremely skeptical - especially after the incident with Sgrena.
"...Afghan officials and human rights groups have complained repeatedly about civilian casualties in U.S.-led military operations, saying heavy-handed tactics could stoke sympathy for militants who have maintained a stubborn insurgency since the fall of the Taliban in 2001..."
The US could be making a concerted effort to ensure that they have a personal touch with the population. Too bad the troops are tied up in Iraq.