Afghan President Hamid Karzai announced what he said were new restrictions on NATO airstrikes, banning them in civilian areas of the country. “It is just completely banned, absolutely banned,” Mr. Karzai told a news conference at his palace. While U.S. commanders have agreed to limit such strikes following the death of 18 Afghans, they maintain the right to self-defense. “We won’t use aviation ordnance on those civilian dwellings unless it’s a matter of self-defense and protecting the force,” U.S. Marine Gen. John Allen said on Monday. Presidential spokesman Aimal Faizi challenged this stance. “Self-defense is not retaliation, nor is it punishment in its real term. Therefore, self-defense or protecting military forces cannot be an excuse for bombing civilians. What is agreed between President Karzai and Gen. Allen is an absolute halt of airstrikes in civilian areas,” he said.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=157002