Marjah, March 08: Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai has pledged local elders in the town of Marjah to offer help during a visit to the southern city in the Helmand province.
During the Sunday visit, elders expressed their anger over civilian casualties and arrest of local people by US-led forces.
The elders also complained that schools had been turned into military bases for international troops.
The Afghan president promised to provide security, open schools and build roads and clinics.
When Karzai asked a gathering of about 300 local elders, “Will you support me?” elders raised their hands and shouted, “We are with you.”
“They had some very legitimate complaints. They felt as though they were abandoned, which in many cases is true. And this sense of abandonment has to go away,” Karzai told reporters.
It was Karzai’s first visit since Marjah was retaken from militants in a massive operation by Afghan and foreign forces.
Last month, at least 12 civilians were killed during the operation. NATO claimed two rockets fired ‘at militants’ missed their target and hit the victims’ house.
A NATO commander, however, confirmed that the civilian target was indeed the intended target of the US-led forces.
Foreign forces have also hit vehicles carrying civilians fleeing the fighting in Marjah killing and injuring dozens.
——–Agencies