US friendly fire kills at least eight Afghan policemen in Helmand

[malaise]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/21/us-friendly-fire-kills-at-least-eight-afghan-policemen-in-helmand
<snip>
A US gunship has killed at least eight Afghan policemen in a friendly fire airstrike in Helmand, according to local officials.

The incident is a setback for the US-Afghan fight against the Taliban in the embattled province, and comes as the US administration and its Nato allies are preparing the deployment of several thousand additional troops to Afghanistan.

Since 2001, Helmand has consistently been the deadliest province for both foreign and Afghan forces. Since the international drawdown in 2014, the Taliban has seized territory across the province, leaving the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah, and the economic hub, Gereshk, as some of the only areas still in government hands.

The attack occurred on Friday afternoon, when, according to local police sources, an Afghan police unit retook a checkpoint captured by the Taliban on Thursday. Due to apparent miscommunication, a US gunship bombed the police unit 30 minutes later, according to police sources.

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Where is The Scream when I need it?

[Docreed2003]

1. According to the article...two of the officers killed

Were two seasoned commanders...sad, they're resources and experience were extremely valuable in that area of the country. Helmand is the Wild West of the Wild West of Afghanistan.