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Afghan civilian deaths are a very serious setback, admits forces chief Sir Jock Stirrup
Ross Lydall15 Feb 2010
The head of Britain's armed forces today admitted that the killing of 12 Afghan civilians by stray US rockets was a “very serious setback” to a massive Nato operation in Afghanistan.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup said the aim of Operation Moshtarak was to provide security for the Afghan population “and you don't protect them when you kill them”.
Nato troops seeking to seize the Taliban stronghold of Marjah, in Helmand province, were today having to adapt their tactics after two rockets from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System missed their target by about 600 metres and struck a house.
Nato commanders said use of the rocket system had been suspended “until a thorough review of this incident has been conducted”.
Sporadic firefights were breaking out inside Marjah today but troops were under orders only to fire at those committing a hostile act or showing hostile intent.
Sir Jock, the Chief of the Defence Staff, told the BBC's Today programme that most civilian deaths were caused by Taliban bombs.
But he admitted the misplaced rockets added to the difficulties of a “very challenging” operation.
He said: “It is crucial that they [the local population] perceive the Afghan national security forces as protecting them ... and therefore we have to do all we can to eliminate civilian casualties.”
A Downing Street spokesman said Gordon Brown was saddened by the loss of civilians.
The spokesman said Nato forces “have done and continue to do everything possible” to reduce the risk to civilians. “We deeply regret that lives have been lost,” he added.
A huge number of improvised explosive devices were slowing the progress of around 15,000 Nato troops, led by US marines and with British, Afghan, Danish and Estonian forces in support.
“We are making steady progress but being very methodical about detecting and clearing routes in an area heavily saturated with IEDs,” US marine captain Abraham Sipe said.
Afghan officials said that as many as 35 militants had been killed in the first two days of the offensive.
The aim of Operation Moshtarak is to rid the central area of Helmand of the Taliban and bring security to allow central government to rule.
British commanders have admitted that the next phase of the operation — to hold the ground — will be the most vital.
Much of this task will be done by British forces.
Reader views (2)
This is a tragedy but there is a war going on...
...as nice as it would be to limit casualties unfortunately these things happen.
The biggest tragedy is announcing in advance of your intention to target a specific area.
Talk about handing the initiative to the 'Teletubbies' who had time to withdraw or fight it out leaving 'gifts' for our troops...
- Neilhead, Cross of Clay, 16/02/2010 11:12
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For God's sake "A very serious set back says Jock Stirrup. What an utterly negative response. Of course its tragic and aplogies need to be given and action taken . But its a war and to give aid and comfort to the Taliban and put down the effort of NATO by such a statement is oworthless. Mc Crystal has already apologised to Karzai and for Stirrup to put his oar in is totally unesessary.
- Peter French, Orihuela Costa Spain, 15/02/2010 16:48
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