About May 4 Farah Air Strike
2009-06-21
Posted by: badanov
A report released by the US Central Command, clears US forces of any wrongdoing in a series of air strike that caused at least 26 civilian casualties.
Although some media outlets have reported US forces culpability in the deaths, the report clearly states that US air crews and ground forces strictly adhered to the Laws of Armed Conflict.
The day long battle, which took place in Farah province May 4th, culminated in a series of air strikes, four by US Navt F/A-18 Super Hornets and three by USAF B1B lancers called against enemy tactical movement as observed from the air and ground.
According to the report, after a May 2nd amush of Coalition forces and American advisors from a school rooftop in Shewan, Afghan authorities received reports the Taliban were massing a large force of at least 300 fighters, including a "signifigant number" of foreign Taliban including Chechen and Pakistani in the Shewan area. p> Reports received at the time said those forces were threatening civilians and Afghan national Police personnel.
Although Afghan military and security authorities were advised by US Marines advisors to take additional time to plan a deliberate operation, the Afghan decided on an immediate operation to secure the Shewan area, employing 200 ANSF forces.
After a firefight started about 1230 local time, Afghan military decided to avail their operation of a US Marine quick reaction force and air support.
The Marines began operations to relieve Afghan forces including medical evacuation of wounded. Because Taliban forces were constantly re-arming and re-attacking, Marines ground forces resorted to a series of air strikes to suppress enemy direct fire.
The air strikes by US Navy F/A 18 Super Hornets began about 1500 hrs. Initially the aircraft began with a "show of force" dropping flares, but and then began to strafe and bomb enemy positions hitting a total of four targets.
According to the report, these strikes, conducted during daylight hours, did not cause civilian casualties.
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