CNN REPORTS U.S. LED COALITION KILLS 13 AFGHAN CIVILIANS

U.S.-led coalition kills 13 Afghan civilians

Story Highlights
Military operation kills 13 civilians, three militants, U.S. says
Coalition offers condolences, helps identify victims
Weapons and ammunition found at site of attack
Afghan president has expressed dismay, anger over civilian casualties

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/02/21/afghanistan.deaths/index.html

KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) -- Thirteen people, described by the U.S. military as "noncombatants," were killed in western Afghanistan earlier this week during a coalition operation, the military said Saturday.

"We expressed our deepest condolences to the survivors of the noncombatants who were killed during this operation," said Brig. Gen. Michael Ryan, U.S. Forces-Afghanistan.

Three militants also died in Tuesday's operation in the Gozara district of Herat province, the military said.

The killings further inflame Afghans' anger and frustration over the killing of civilians in U.S.-led coalition and NATO operations. Many civilians also die in the crossfire between coalition forces and Taliban militants. Watch the challenge coalition forces face »

Afghan and coalition investigators and international observers this week were in Herat this week. Weapons and ammunition were found at the site of the operation and Afghan soldiers held shuras, or consultative bodies, with village leaders.