US missile strike kills seven children in Afghanistan

Employing the standard justification used by the US government when it kills innocent civilians, military spokesman Major Chris Belcher said in an official statement, “this is another example of Al Qaeda using the protective status of a mosque, as well as innocent civilians, to shield themselves.”

He went on, “We are saddened by the innocent lives that were lost as a result of militants’ cowardice. We had surveillance on the compound all day and had no indication that there were children inside the building.” Belcher did not account for the fact that human shields would only be useful to the extent that the US military knew they were present, since this would be the only way to prevent an attack.

Although the operation was backed by Afghan troops, Akram Akhpelwak, governor of Paktika Province, said that he was not made aware of the bombing beforehand.

The attacks sparked renewed demonstrations calling for the withdrawal of US troops, as well as for the resignation of Afghan president Hamid Karzai, who is discredited in the eyes of the population by his association with the US occupation.