U.S. Military Looks Anew at Azizabad

By JASON STRAZIUSO

By Jason Straziuso

The Associated Press

KABUL, Afghanistan

The U.S. military said Sunday that it has new evidence about civilian casualties from an American attack that Afghanistan says killed scores of women and children. A senior officer is being sent to the country to review the initial U.S. finding that no more than seven civilians died.

The military did not say what new information had emerged. Afghan and Western officials say Afghanistan’s intelligence agency and the United Nations both have video of the aftermath of the Aug. 22 airstrikes on Azizabad showing dozens of dead women and children.

“In light of emerging evidence pertaining to civilian casualties … in the Shindand District, Herat province, I feel it is prudent to request that U.S. Central Command send a general officer to review the U.S. investigation and its findings with respect to this new evidence,” Gen. David McKiernan – senior U.S. officer in Afghanistan and commander of the NATO-led mission – said in a statement.

“The people of Afghanistan have our commitment to get to the truth,” he added.

A U.N. official who has seen one video said it shows maimed children. The official became highly emotional describing rows of bodies.

A second Western official has said one video shows bodies of “tens of children.” He called the video gruesome. The two officials spoke on condition of anonymity.

Originally published by BY JASON STRAZIUSO.

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