KABUL — Human Rights Watch accused the U.S. military of not doing enough to reduce civilian casualties during battles in Afghanistan and called Friday for changes to prevent civilian deaths such as those earlier this month.
New York-based Human Rights Watch said its preliminary investigation into a May 4-5 clash that killed scores of people, including many women and children, found that measures put in place by the U.S. military to safeguard civilians were inadequate.
Afghans blame U.S. airstrikes for the deaths and destruction in two villages in western Farah province. American officials say the Taliban held villagers hostage during the fight.
Evidence will show that the Taliban, not a U.S. airstrike, was to blame, the top U.S. Marine officer said Friday in Washington.
It is unclear exactly how many people died in the fighting in Bala Baluk district. The Afghan government has paid out compensation to families for 140 dead.The Associated Press
