Locals: Afghan Civilians Killed in Airstrikes Against Taliban Drug Labs

Afghan government airstrikes against three locations in the western Farah Province targeted scores of Taliban drug labs, with officials saying the move was intended to deny the Taliban revenue from the drug trade.

The Defense Ministry insisted the attacks were a success. They claimed 68 drug labs were destroyed, along with 150 Taliban killed. Locals, including the district governor in the attacked area, are disputing this account, however.

Governor Mujahid reported that civilians had been employed in the labs and were killed in the airstrikes. He said that the strikes killed at least 45 civilians, along with 18 Taliban fighters.

In addition to the civilians working at the labs, a large number of wounded civilians were reported who just lived in the surrounding area. The Defense Ministry responded to that by saying no civilian casualties had happened at all.