Reuters via ABC News, April 29, 2007


Protest in Afghan east after civilian deaths by the US

Nangahar province police spokesman Abdul Ghafur said the six dead were all civilians, including three women.

Thousands of people, some shouting "Death to America" and carrying shrouded bodies, protested in the east of Afghanistan on Sunday after up to six people were killed during a raid by US-led coalition forces.

People protest for civilain deaths
Her father, mother and sister were killed ( http://www.rawa.org/s-photos.htm )
RAWA: This 9-year-old girl told journalists that her father, mother and sisters were killed by the US troops.

Nangahar province police spokesman Abdul Ghafur said the six dead were all civilians, including three women.

But the US military said four of those killed were Taliban fighters, while a woman and a teenage girl had died in crossfire.

Neighbours of the dead who took part in the protest said five people died, including two women, with only a young girl surviving from the family.

The military said the early Sunday morning raid had been targeting a car bomb cell near the provincial capital, Jalalabad, when soldiers came under fire.

"We are saddened at the loss of civilian life," said Major Chris Belcher said in the statement. "It is extremely unfortunate that militants put others' lives in danger by hiding among their families."

The incident occurred in the same area where US Marines killed several civilians in March, opening fire after their convoy was attacked by a suicide car bomber. That incident also sparked angry protests and the unit's early recall.

"They are committing so many operations against us," shouted one man. "We do not want them, we do not want this kind of life in the future. America is our enemy! America is our enemy!"

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