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Wan LixinOpinion deputy editor of Shanghai Daily
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Afghans investigate use of white phosphorous
Source: Agencies |
May 11, 2009, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
AFGHANISTAN'S leading human rights organization said yesterday it was investigating the possibility that white phosphorus was used in a United States-Taliban battle that killed scores of Afghans. The US military rejected speculation it had used the weapon but left open the possibility Taliban militants did.
Afghan doctors are concerned over what they are calling "unusual" burns on Afghans wounded in last Monday's battle in Farah province, which President Hamid Karzai has said may have killed 125 to 130 civilians.
Allegations that white phosphorus or another chemical may have been used threatens to deepen the controversy over what Afghan officials say could be the worst case of civilian deaths since the 2001 US invasion that ousted the Taliban regime. Karzai called for an end to airstrikes in Frah.
Nader Nadery, a commissioner for the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission, said officials were concerned white phosphorus may have been used, but that more data was needed.
"Our teams have met with patients," Nadery said. "They are investigating the cause of the injuries and the use of white phosphorus."
White phosphorus is a spontaneously flammable material that can cause painful chemical burns.
It is used to mark targets, create smoke screens or as a weapon, and can be delivered by shells, flares or hand grenades, according to GlobalSecurity.org.
Human rights groups denounce its use for the severe burns it causes, though it is not banned by any treaty to which the US is a signatory.
The US military used white phosphorus in the battle of Fallujah in Iraq in November 2004. Israel's military used it in January against Hamas targets in Gaza.
Colonel Greg Julian, the top US military spokesman in Afghanistan, said the US did not use white phosphorus as a weapon in last week's battle. The US does use white phosphorous to illuminate the night sky, he said.
Afghan doctors are concerned over what they are calling "unusual" burns on Afghans wounded in last Monday's battle in Farah province, which President Hamid Karzai has said may have killed 125 to 130 civilians.
Allegations that white phosphorus or another chemical may have been used threatens to deepen the controversy over what Afghan officials say could be the worst case of civilian deaths since the 2001 US invasion that ousted the Taliban regime. Karzai called for an end to airstrikes in Frah.
Nader Nadery, a commissioner for the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission, said officials were concerned white phosphorus may have been used, but that more data was needed.
"Our teams have met with patients," Nadery said. "They are investigating the cause of the injuries and the use of white phosphorus."
White phosphorus is a spontaneously flammable material that can cause painful chemical burns.
It is used to mark targets, create smoke screens or as a weapon, and can be delivered by shells, flares or hand grenades, according to GlobalSecurity.org.
Human rights groups denounce its use for the severe burns it causes, though it is not banned by any treaty to which the US is a signatory.
The US military used white phosphorus in the battle of Fallujah in Iraq in November 2004. Israel's military used it in January against Hamas targets in Gaza.
Colonel Greg Julian, the top US military spokesman in Afghanistan, said the US did not use white phosphorus as a weapon in last week's battle. The US does use white phosphorous to illuminate the night sky, he said.
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