U.S. Forces Lash over Analysis Presented on ‘Costs of War’
KABUL, Afghanistan – The spokesman for United States Forces in Afghanistan Colonel Sonny Leggett sharply criticized the analysis presented on “costs of war” that shows a 330 percent increase in the number of civilians causalities by US-led airstrike between 2016 to 2019 in Afghanistan.
On Monday, finding by the Brown University’s research institute on Costs of War indicated a 330% increase in the number of civilians killed by US-led airstrikes during the President Donald Trump administration in 2016 to 2019.
“We disagree with the one-sided analysis presented in “Costs of War,” which relies on disputed data and ignores civilian casualties caused by Taliban and ISIS attacks,” said Leggett in a statement.
“This includes ongoing Taliban use of car bombs, IEDs, rockets and targeted killings to intimidate, harass and instill fear across Afghanistan,” he added.
Referencing the recent quarterly report by UNAMA, the spokesman said civilian casualties caused by US airstrikes “all but ceased” since Feb. 29, adding that same report attributed more than 3,400 civilian casualties to “anti-government elements,” including ISIS and the Taliban.
“We take seriously our duty to train our Afghan counterparts on civilian casualty prevention measures, and we have observed an extraordinary amount of effort and care in their operations,” Leggett elaborated, assuring continued support.
NATO had more than 100,000 troops in a big combat operation. Then have gradually reduced its presence and now are roughly 11,000 troops in a Train, Assist and Advise mission. More than half are non-US troops coming from European NATO Allies and partner nations.
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