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US belittling civilian deaths

The US government underplays civilian deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq, says an expert, as US-led forces continue to be criticized over the killing of innocent people.

“We have seen from the WikiLeaks documents that we [Americans] have had a habit in Afghanistan and in Iraq to underplay the number of civilians [killed]. The US government has underplayed the number of civilians [killed], sometimes claiming that a civilian was a militant when they weren’t a militant,” Paul Kawika Martin, director of Peace Action, Washington, told Press TV on Thursday.

In a latest criticism, the human rights group the Afghan Rights Monitor (ARM) said civilian deaths have increased largely since operations started in Kandahar province in early September.

The group also says the US-led campaign in Kandahar has destroyed or damaged hundreds of houses.

It says US-led NATO forces have used aerial bombings, hidden booby traps and set off mines in private homes.

“People say there is not a military solution. Obama says there is not a military solution. Yet, we keep sending more troops to Afghanistan and act like there is a military solution,” Kawika Martin further said.

“Unfortunately, until we see more efforts on political side of things, it is going to be more difficult, as more civilians are killed,” he added.

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