A NATO airstrike killed at least 30 Afghan civilians, including women and children, on Thursday in the volatile northern province of Kunduz, officials said, after a Taliban assault there left two American soldiers dead.
The airstrike, which occurred early Thursday, triggered emotionally-charged protests in the provincial capital, with the victims’ relatives rallying outside the governor’s office while carrying the bodies of dead children.
The carnage underscores worsening insecurity after the Taliban last month overran Kunduz city for the second time in a year, as NATO-backed Afghan forces struggle to beat back the insurgents.
“Afghan forces and coalition troops conducted a joint operation against the Taliban insurgents,” provincial spokesman Mahmood Danish told AFP.
“In the bombardment 30 Afghan civilians were martyred and 25 others were wounded.” (AFP)
