Afghanistan War News Updates -- May 18, 2011

U.S. Marines patrol along the Helmand River after visiting a local school in the Garmsir district of Afghanistan's Helmand province, April 26, 2011. The Marines are assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and a female engagement team accompanied the patrol to help the infantry Marines interact with the local women and children. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Colby Brown

Violent Protests Erupt In Afghanistan After Disputed NATO Raid -- Voice of America

Afghan authorities say at least 11 people were killed in violent protests against a NATO operation in northern Afghanistan that left four people dead.

Local officials said the the NATO raid killed four civilians, but the alliance insists all four were insurgents.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan

Afghan rally over NATO raid turns violent; 11 die -- Yahoo News/AP
11 killed in Afghan protests over NATO killings -- Yahoo News/AFP
Twelve dead in protests after two women killed in Afghan raid -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Afghanistan: 'Twelve dead' at protest over Nato raid -- BBC
Officials: 11 dead as Afghans protest civilian killings -- CNN
10 Killed, 50 Wounded In Protests Against NATO Raid In Afghanistan -- Radio Free Europe
Afghan rally over NATO raid turns violent, 11 protesters die in clash with security forces -- Washington Post

Factbox: Security developments in Afghanistan -- Reuters
NATO kills two women 'insurgents' in Afghan north -- AFP

NATO helicopters crossed into airspace, Pakistan says -- L.A. Times
U.S. Helicopter, Pakistani Military Exchange Fire at Border -- ABC News
Pakistani troops, NATO helicopters engage in firefight -- Washington Post
Pakistan Protests After Clash With NATO Helicopters -- Voice of America

AP Interview: Pakistan Taliban vow to fight on -- Yahoo News/AP
AP Interview: Pakistan Taliban vow to complete bin Laden’s mission, brag of ‘new zeal’ -- Washington Post

US steps up face-to-face peace talks with Taliban -- The Telegraph
U.S. Reportedly Accelerates Talks With Taliban -- NPR
US Urges Taliban To Shed Violence, Dissociate With Al-Qaeda -- RTT News
Taliban Denies Involved In Direct Talks With U.S. -- Radio Free Europe

Britain to pull 400 troops out of Afghanistan this year -- The Guardian
PM's rebuke to defence chiefs over cutbacks as he announces withdrawal of 400 troops from Afghanistan -- The Daily Mail
More than 400 troops heading home from Afghanistan -- The Independent
Cameron says 400 troops to return from Afghanistan within year -- BBC

Afghanistan female journalist has notebook, will report -- L.A. Times
Comparing How NATO and Taliban Report the Afghan War -- Atlantic Wire
Sixth Soldier Charged in Afghan Killings -- New York Times
Guest Post: Are U.S. Troops Losing Hearts and Minds in Afghanistan? -- James M. Lindsay, Council On Foreign Relations

US military deaths in Afghanistan at 1,468 -- Yahoo News/AP