Friday, Nov. 6, 2009

Germany: Civilians likely killed in Afghan strike

BERLIN (AP) - Germany's defense minister says he believes civilians were killed in an airstrike in Afghanistan but that the German-requested attack was necessary.

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said Friday a NATO report concludes that there were "procedural errors" in the Sept. 4 airstrike but that, regardless, the strike was "appropriate in military terms."

A German commander called in the NATO air strike against two tanker trucks that had been seized by Taliban insurgents near Kunduz, fearing they could be used to attack troops.

Guttenberg says reports on whether there were civilian casualties remain contradictory - but "I personally assume that there were civilian victims."

He says everything must be done in future to avoid civilian casualties.

2009-11-06     13:52:23 GMT

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