US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad expressed “regret” for the number of
civilians being killed in US and allied attacks in Afghanistan, saying
that the US “never target innocents” and attributing the deaths to “unintended consequences.”
The most recent report out of the US showed that the US and its allies
are killing more civilians in Afghanistan than the Taliban are, as
growing airstrikes are launched, and as the Taliban scales back its use of suicide attacks.
Khalilzad seemed willing to accept that the deaths were not acceptable,
though it isn’t at all clear that the US is taking responsibility, or
making specific efforts to kill fewer civilians on its own.
Instead, Khalilzad said that the focus should instead be on the peace
process, which he is leading. He says that a ceasefire and a lasting
peace are the only real solution to the civilian casualties.
Let’s talk about how it works. The targeting officer may decide that one bomb is too much for their perceived target, smaller bomb is what is required….instead of 30 estimated dead, only 15, when the mission aims for two. Murder and cowardice remains. Go home, and stfu.
https://www.thenation.com/article/us-military-approves-bombing-children/
6 years ago they were saying children are combatants because they might be look outs.
By the evidence of events, if they don’t target civilians, they also don’t much care if they hit them. When in doubt, “kill first, let God sort it out,” is what we see happening. And if any might be in the way of a possible target, that’s fatal.
Targeting civilians would be a war crime. Killing lots of civilians by “accident” well that is OK. They may not have died in vain. At some point I expect more support will go to the Taliban as they are less terrible than the alternative and we will have to leave.
Just like the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Yeah, that worked out well.
“Targeting Innocents” isn’t the Mens Rea required for a crime.
You don’t need to target them-they are “collateral damage” of course.
Khalilzad must be nearly too old to continue, after all the years of peace making in Afghanistan he has led!!!
Yeah, and the US had “no idea” that the sanctions against Iraq, including chlorine bleach so they could purify water after the US DESTROYED their entire water infrastructure in total violation of numerous international agreements, would lead to the deaths of 1.5 million innocent citizens. Everything the US does internationally is a war crime.