A US airstrike killed 16 Afghan police and wounded two others in Helmand province, officials said Saturday.
The incident took place Friday 5 pm as Afghan security forces were clearing a village of Taliban elements, Salam Afghan, Helmand police spokesman, told AFP.
"In the strike, 16 Afghan policemen were killed including two commanders. Two other policemen were wounded," he said.
Omar Zwak, Helmand provincial governor spokesman, confirmed the strike and gave the same account.
It occurred in Gereshk district in Helmand, large parts of which are under Taliban control.
NATO's mission in Afghanistan issued a statement.
"During a US-supported (Afghan security) operation, aerial fires resulted in the deaths of the friendly Afghan forces who were gathered in a compound," it said.
"We would like to express our deepest condolences to the families affected by this unfortunate incident," the statement said, adding there would be a probe into what happened.
The US is the only foreign force in the coalition conducting airstrikes in Afghanistan.
Source: AFP
GMT 13:06 2017 Thursday ,19 October
Dozens killed as Taliban launch fresh assaultsGMT 09:37 2017 Thursday ,27 July
Taliban kill 30 Afghan soldiers as fightingGMT 12:15 2017 Wednesday ,26 July
26 Afghan soldiers killed in attackGMT 07:26 2017 Sunday ,23 July
70 villagers kidnapped in AfghanistanGMT 18:54 2017 Thursday ,09 March
20 Militants Killed in Afghanistan AirstrikeMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©