U.S. denies allegations of increased civilian causalities

Despite recent criticisms concerning increased Afghan civilian deaths, U.S. and coalition forces see no need to modify their strategy, The Associated Press reported yesterday. “We think the procedures that we have in place are good,” Brig. Gen. Joseph advocated. “They work, they help us minimize the effects” on civilians, he said.

The U.S. view of staying the course comes amid widespread calls by the Afghan government and international organizations for a change in tactics. An Associated Press report gives the number of civilians killed this year by U.S. and NATO forces as 203, while militants have been responsible for 178 deaths.

The U.S. military continues to brush aside allegations that they are causing more civilian deaths than insurgent forces. President Hamid Karzai continues to call for greater caution by foreign troops in addition to more collaboration with local military forces as a means of reducing civilian casualties.

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