The UN issued a statement Tuesday blaming the Afghan National Army (ANA) for attacks against a crowded civilian market in Sangin District, Helmand Province. The ANA responded to reports of Taliban in the area with heavy mortar attacks, missing the Taliban.
They did manage to hit the market, however, killing at least 23 civilians. On Monday, President Ghani claimed the incident was a Taliban “terrorist attack,” but the UN says this was untrue, and is calling for an independent investigation.
Indirect fire incidents killing civilians are common, disturbingly so in Afghanistan, with the military usually denying blame, or claiming the Taliban did something to trick them into attacking a populated area. This time it seems the attack was just a bad idea.
The Taliban controls much of Helmand Province, including Sangin, which leads the Afghan military to conduct regular strikes on them.
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