Dozens killed in US air raid in western Farah province; UN’s Kai Eide condemns the raid; Obama and Clinton express deep regrets; Karzai renews his call to halt air strikes; Trilateral Summit focuses on eliminating al Qaeda and its allies
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print

    • An American air raid in Bala Boluk district of western Farah province on May 4 resulted in the death of more than two dozen civilians1. The incident was condemned by UN Special Representative Kai Eide2. US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed regrets over deaths of civilians. At the end of a trilateral summit with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari at the White House on May 6, Mr. Obama reiterate his government’s commitment to work with Afghan and international partners to make every effort to avoid civilian casualties3. President Karzai on his part again urged US and NATO forces to not to conduct any more air strikes4.

    President Obama meanwhile asserted that Washington was deeply committed to helping Kabul and Islamabad defeat al Qaeda and its extremist partners, and in ensuring that democracy endures and flourishes in both the countries. He stated that the US, Afghanistan, and Pakistan were “three sovereign nations joined by a common goal: to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and its extremist allies in Pakistan and Afghanistan and to prevent their ability to operate in either country in the future.” The two visiting leaders also held discussions with Secretary of State Clinton, National Security Adviser Gen. James Jones, and the administration’s envoy to the region Richard Holbrooke5.

    In other developments, a key Congressional committee approved the Obama administration’s supplemental request for $1.52 billion aid to Afghanistan for the year 20096.

    Top