Iran criticizes NATO over Afghan deaths

Iran has condemned US-led NATO forces in Afghanistan for an airstrike in Helmand Province, which claimed the lives of a group of women and children.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said in a statement on Monday that the spread of extremism, return of violence, boom in narcotics production and murder of civilians are the outcomes of the continuing foreign military presence in Afghanistan after nearly 10 years of war.

The senior Iranian official also said the recent civilian deaths increase Afghan calls for a full withdrawal of foreign forces, who marched into the Asian country under the pretext of establishing security there.

Mehmanparast pointed out that the pullout of foreign forces from Afghanistan, and the full transfer of authority to Afghans would secure the establishment of security and stability in the war-battered country.

At least 14 civilians, including 12 children, died on Saturday after US-led NATO warplanes targeted two civilian houses in the Nawzad district of Helmand Province.

In reaction to the NATO airstrike, Afghan President Hamid Karzai called on the US military on Sunday to avoid operations that kill civilians, saying it was his “last warning” to Washington.

“The president called this incident a great mistake and the murdering of Afghanistan’s children and women, and on behalf of the Afghan people gives his last warning to the US troops and US officials in this regard,” a statement issued by Afghan president’s office read.

The statement added, “The president said that US and NATO troops have been repeatedly told that their arbitrary and unnecessary operations cause the deaths of innocent Afghans and such operations violate human and moral values.”

Hundreds of civilians have been killed in US-led airstrikes and ground operations in various parts of Afghanistan over the past few months, with Afghans becoming increasingly outraged over the seemingly endless number of deadly assaults.

Civilian casualties have long been a source of friction between the Afghan government and US-led foreign forces. The loss of civilian lives at the hand of foreign forces has dramatically increased anti-American sentiments in Afghanistan.

The surge in violence comes despite the presence of nearly 150,000 foreign troops in the country that claim to be engaged in a so-called war on terror. The US-led war in Afghanistan has become the longest war in US history.