Shootings of Afghans on Rise at Checkpoints

[cory777]

Source: NY Times

KABUL, Afghanistan — Shootings of Afghan civilians by American and NATO convoys and at military checkpoints have spiked sharply this year, becoming the leading cause of combined civilian deaths and injuries at the hands of Western forces, American officials say.

The steep rise in these convoy and checkpoint attacks — which the military calls “escalation of force incidents” — has prompted military commanders to issue new troop guidelines in recent weeks that include soliciting local Afghan village and tribal elders and other leaders for help preventing convoy and checkpoint shootings.

These shootings are a major reason civilian casualties in Afghanistan are soaring after a much-publicized period of decline.

Such episodes “have taken the lead” in civilian casualties caused by Western forces, said Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez, the day-to-day operational commander of American and NATO forces in Afghanistan. “We’ve really got to figure out how to solve that problem, and it’s really a challenge to the leadership. It’s a challenge to discipline.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/world/asia/09afghan.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

[sabrina 1]

1. Shhh, it doesn't hurt so much now. Democrats are in charge. n/t

[ShortnFiery]

2. Out of sight ... out of mind?

Our USA media whores don't pay attention to this tragedy along with the ongoing oil spill ... then the "unwashed masses" in the USA won't mind and/or demand change?

Right? :grr:

[OhioChick]

3. Terrible. n/t

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. Just like in Iraq. Seems so....planned.

[elias49]

5. NATO commanders have a plan to reduce civiliam casualties

or has it been discarded out of hand? For those who might have missed it, the new strategy is called 'courageous restraint'. Soldiers on the ground may get special commendations if they jack-boot their way into peoples' homes in the middle of the night with the safeties ON. "Silly" you say?
"Stupid" I say.
Sounds to me more like someone's opium pipe-dream. Our troops aren't trained that way IMO. Simple as that.
The US has dug itself into an untenable position. And one of the ways we want to try an improve the situation - rather than GET THE HELL OUT - is to offer some kind of Purple Shart.
All hail the DOD.