Afghanistan to Probe İnto US Civilian Killings

The Afghan president has authorized an investigation into claims that the US has recklessly caused civilian casualties in operations allegedly against the Taliban.

Hamid Karzai, currently in the United States, will raise the issue of civilian deaths with President Barack Obama, a statement from Karzai's office confirmed Tuesday.

"President Karzai said that the sheer number of civilian casualties is unacceptable and he is going to raise the issue with high-level US officials, including President Barack Obama," the statement said.

Local officials put the number of civilian deaths caused by a two-day US-led operation in the Gerani village in the country's western Farah Province at over 50.

Civilian casualties during anti-Taliban operations have long been an important cause of friction between the Afghan and US governments.

The US military has already promised a joint inquiry with Afghan authorities into the recent civilian deaths.

"Operations are ongoing in Farah, but a joint investigation will be conducted to determine exactly what happened," said a statement issued by the US Bagram Base.

According to a report released February by the UN, more than 2,100 civilians have been killed during this last year alone in Afghanistan because of increased fighting in the country.