Protection of civilians addressed in new US military rules

Calcutta News.Net
Monday 22nd June, 2009

The Afghan battlefield may become a more difficult terrain for US soldiers with new rules of engagement coming into force.

The stricter new rules for combat and bombing raids in Afghanistan are to be enacted by military officials heeding the call of the Afghan government to protect civilians.

Analysts have said while the rules might complicate US and allied battle plans, the changes are crucial in reducing civilian deaths.

The new guidelines are expected to be spelled out to the troops by General Stanley McChrystal, who took command of the 8-year-old war in Afghanistan last week.

The rues will include new guidelines on air strikes where US pilots engaged in the strikes will be told to break away from fights with militants hiding in Afghan houses.

Troops will only be able to attack insurgents hiding in Afghan houses if US or allied forces are in imminent danger and must return fire,

They will be told to remove themselves, if it is safe to do so, from compounds where civilians are likely to have been taken hostage by the Taliban.

Civilian casualties have caused immense friction between the US Military and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

It is believed 829 Afghan civilians were in the Afghan war last year.

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