Violence Flares Anew in Southern Afghanistan

[bemildred]

Source: NYT

KABUL, Afghanistan — Violence has flared in southern Afghanistan, disrupting a long period of relative quiet since the arrival of large numbers of American troops.

In the Sangin District of Helmand Province, United States Marines who took over from British troops are finding it hard going, with a heavier casualty rate in their first 90 days than the British suffered in more than three years there. Elsewhere in the province, a roadside bomb killed 15 civilians on Friday.

And in Kandahar City, the Taliban assassinated two officials on Wednesday and Thursday, according to Afghan officials.

Progress in Kandahar and Helmand Provinces had been cited recently by the NATO commander, Gen. David H. Petraeus, and was expected to figure in a White House review of the war due this week.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/12/world/asia/12afghan.html

[oberliner]

1. NATO Airstrikes Kill 25 in Eastern Afghanistan

Coalition and Afghan forces struck back at insurgents in the eastern part of the country Saturday, following a series of attacks blamed on the Taliban.

NATO officials say more than 25 suspected insurgents were killed in an air strike in eastern Kunar province Saturday.

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Blasts-in-Afghanistan-Kill-15-111716319.html

Afghan civilians killed in NATO airstrike

Seven civilians have been killed by a NATO airstrike in the eastern Afghan province of Paktia.

The victims had reportedly been building a road and were in a tent when the attack was launched. A spokesman for the NATO-led ISAF force said an investigation was being carried out.

http://www.euronews.net/2010/12/11/afghan-civilians-killed-in-nato-airstrike/