Official: Airstrikes in south Afghanistan hit clinic, school
ABC News
A provincial council member says airstrikes have damaged a health clinic and high school in the capital of southern Afghanistan’s Helmand province
KABUL, Afghanistan -- Airstrikes damaged a health clinic and high school in the capital of southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, a provincial council member said Sunday. In northern Kunduz province, Taliban fighters made additional gains. A Defense Ministry statement confirmed that airstrikes were carried out in parts of the city of Lashkar Gah. It said forces targeted Taliban positions, killing 54 fighters and wounding 23 others. It made no mention of a clinic or school being bombed. Majid Akhund, deputy chairman of the Helmand provincial council, said airstrikes hit a health clinic and a school in the city's 7th police district late Saturday. But he said the area is under Taliban control so any casualties could have been caused by Taliban there. A Taliban surge has intensified as U.S. and NATO troops wrap up their withdrawal from the country. As Taliban attacks increase, Afghan security forces and government troops have retaliated with airstrikes aided by the United States. The fighting has raised growing concerns about civilian casualties.More Related News