Afghanistan War News Updates -- February 12, 2017

New York Times: NATO Checking Claim that U.S. Airstrikes Killed 22 Afghan Civilians

KABUL, Afghanistan — The NATO mission in Afghanistan has opened a preliminary investigation into claims that more than 20 civilians were killed in recent American airstrikes in the southern province of Helmand, military officials said Saturday.

Elders from the Sangin district, the scene of heavy fighting in recent weeks, with the Taliban blowing up Afghan Army posts there, have said that multiple American airstrikes early Friday morning killed at least 22 civilians, including several women and children.

Brig. Gen. Charles H. Cleveland, a spokesman for the American-led NATO mission, insisted that the military command had seen no conclusive evidence that civilians were killed in the airstrikes, but said that “a formal review to determine the credibility of the claims” had been opened. The investigation team involved NATO officers outside the American command to ensure impartiality, he added.

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Afghanistan War News Updates -- February 12, 2017

11 civilians reportedly killed in Afghanistan airstrike, NATO-led mission says ‘no evidence’ -- RT
NATO to Study Reports of Civilian Casualties in Foreign Strikes in Afghanistan -- Sputnik
2 US Soldiers Wounded in Afghanistan Clash -- Military.com/Stars and Stripes
2 US soldiers wounded in Afghanistan clash that may have killed civilians -- SOFREP
Afghanistan: Air strikes thwart major attack plan, kill 60 Taliban insurgents -- Hindustan Times
Suicide bomber outside bank kills Afghan troops, civilians -- Washington Post
Suicide Bomber Kills Seven, Wounds 20 in Afghanistan's Helmand Province -- Newsweek
Taliban suicide bomber kills six in Afghanistan's Helmand -- AFP
Taliban claim responsibility for deadly Afghan blast -- CNN
US Commander in Afghanistan: Afghan Government Protecting People Over Territory -- VOA
US Commander Warns of Russian, Iranian, Pakistani Influence in Afghanistan -- VOA
Foreign Ministry believes US tries to accuse Russia of its failures in Afghanistan -- TASS
Six Nations To Meet In Moscow Over Afghanistan -- Tolo News