Afghanistan War News Updates -- May 11, 2009

U.S. Navy Seaman Lucas J. Jettson looks through the scope on his weapon for possible insurgent activity during a security patrol in the abandoned village of Now Zad, in Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 6, 2009. Jettson is a hospital corpsman assigned to Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. James A. Burks

Concerns White Phosphorus Used In Afghan Battle -- Yahoo News/AP

KABUL – Doctors voiced concern over "unusual" burns on Afghan villagers wounded in an already controversial U.S.-Taliban battle, and the country's top human rights groups said Sunday it is investigating the possibility white phosphorus was used.

The American military denied using the incendiary in the battle in Farah province — which President Hamid Karzai has said killed 125 to 130 civilians — but left open the possibility that Taliban militants did. The U.S. says Taliban fighters have used white phosphorus, a spontaneously flammable material that leaves severe chemical burns on flesh, at least four times the last two years.

Read more ....

More Afghanistan War News Updates

Afghanistan suicide bombs kill, wound at least 20 -- Yahoo News/AP
Clash leaves 9 militants dead in E Afghanistan -- English Daily
Bombings kill 18 in Afghanistan -- Daily Times
Taliban Forced Civilians to Remain in Targeted Buildings, Petraeus Says -- U.S. Department of Defense
More Airstrikes Against Taliban Possible, Says U.S. Official -- Washington Post
Q+A - Civilian casualties in Afghanistan -- Yahoo news/Reuters
Karzai "very serious" on ending air raids: official -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Karzai calls for end to air strikes -- ABC News (Australia)
U.S. Rejects Calls to End Air Strikes -- Wall Street Journal
U.S. Adviser Holds Firm on Airstrikes in Afghanistan -- New York Times
Top Obama Administration Officials Speak Out On Pakistan, Afghanistan -- Voice of America
Petraeus: al-Qaida not operating in Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AP
Putin pledges aid, but no military support, to NATO in Afghanistan -- Earth Times
UN Expands Presence In Afghanistan -- Scoop
Afghan drug trade thrives with help, and neglect, of officials -- McClatchy News
Pakistani Chicken, Afghan Egg -- National Review opinion