Civilian Deaths soar in southern Afghanistan

As the article mentions most of the casualties are the result of insurgent action but some are also caused by NATO forces. One wonders too how many casualties are caused by special forces who operate underneath press radar. Once the offensive begins to forcefully attempt to dislodge the Taliban from Kandahar no doubt casualties will go up especially if there are battles right within the city as seems highly probable. This is from antiwar.com.

Civilian Toll Soaring in Southern Afghanistan
Posted By Jason Ditz

Despite President Obama’s claims of “progress” in Afghanistan the nation’s restive south, where virtually all of the latest escalation of troops have been deployed, has continued to see soaring violence, particularly in Kandahar.

According to the latest numbers out of the Red Cross in Kandahar, the number of civilians wounded in roadside bombings has risen between 30-40 percent compared to the same months in 2009. Despite massive increases in the amount of personnel and funding the US has thrown at tackling the roadside bombs, the attacks are still rising dramatically.

These numbers are, of course, separate from the civilian toll caused by the foreign troops themselves, and while specific figures in that regard have not been released, a number of high profile attacks, like the US attack on a busload of civilians near Kandahar, seems to be on the rise as well.

The number will likely continue to rise as the June invasion of Kandahar looms. An attack today inside the city killed at least 11 people, 10 of them private security contractors, and injured at least 18 others. Two other bombings in the city earlier in the day killed at least two others and wounded 23.

Kandahar riots show rising resentment against NATO.

In spite of the fact that General McChrystal has emphasized that civilian deaths should be avoided there seems to be continual events such as mentioned in this article in which civilians are killed in one way or another. The result is as the article points out protests and a growing anti-NATO and anti-U.S. feeling. Of course in this case Kandahar is also a place where the Taliban have a strong following. But the way things are going there seems little chance that NATO is going to have the majority of the population on their side. More likely many will help the Taliban counterattack when NATO tries to rule the town with its chosen puppets. This is from antiwar.com.

Kandahar Riots Show Rising Resentment in Key Province
Posted By Jason Ditz

Who knew that opening fire on a busload of innocent civilians would be such a hot-button issue?

The US was quick to take responsbility today, and NATO was quick to express regrets, but the attack earlier today on a civilian bus, leaving five civilians dead and 18 others wounded, sparking protests and later riots.

Hundreds took to the streets, chanting “death to America,” burning tires, blocking the main road into town and generally causing a ruckus. Certainly such attacks have been a source of consternation for Afghans, but with their alarming regularity the US killing only five civilians in one go is for many just “another day in Afghanistan” and in many parts of the nation would’ve past barely acknowledged.

Rather the fury reflects not only the outrage at yet another civilian massacre, but also the serious resentment among residents of Kandahar, one of the most corrupt cities in the nation and one for which NATO is planning a massive invasion. It is exactly the same resentment which Karzai attempted to tap into in last weekend’s visit.

But it also spells disaster for the June invasion. The Pentagon has made tackling corruption and winning the “hearts and minds” in Kandahar the two centerpieces of the victory. They have already made it clear that ousting Wali Karzai, one of the driving forces behind the corruption, simply isn’t happening. Now it seems the “hearts and minds” portion isn’t going to happen either, as if the US can’t avoid killing civilians on the open highway they certainly won’t be able to avoid killing far more in a densely populated urban environment.