U.S. soldiers killed five civilians, including two women and three children, during a raid carried out on Monday in the western Afghan province of Herat, the province's authorities reported today.
The U.S. special forces' operation was aimed at clearing the Shindandm district of alleged rebels, noted chief of the locality Abdul Hamid Noor, who noted at least two rebels were injured as well as some soldiers.
A communiqué from the NATO-led Occupying International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) clarified that the raid was carried out by Afghan and coalition soldiers.
The coalition insisted that an investigation will be opened to determine the causes of the deaths of the civilians.
The Afghan government has insisted the ISAF must suspend raids against rebels given their lack of effectiveness and tendency to create unhappiness and anger among the population.