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Afghan lawmakers urge ceasefire, talks with Taliban
The motion came hours before a US strike that local officials say killed at least 21 civilians, a charge the US does not confirm.
Amid claims of mounting civilian deaths, including an official tally of 21 civilians killed in a US-led airstrike, the upper house of Afghanistan's legislature passed a motion Tuesday calling for a military ceasefire and negotiations with the Taliban.
The Associated Press writes that NATO called the resolution, which requires passage by the lower house and approval of the president to become law, a "warning shot."
The proposal from the upper house of parliament, which also calls for a date to be set for the withdrawal of foreign troops, suggests that Afghan support for the 5-year international military mission is crumbling amid a series of civilian deaths.
The motion reflects lawmakers' belief that negotiations with militants would be more effective than fighting, said Aminuddin Muzafari, the secretary of the upper house.
"One of the reasons I want this bill implemented is because of the civilian deaths caused by both the enemy and international forces," said Abdul Ahmad Zahidi, a parliamentarian from Ghazni province. "It's difficult to prevent civilian deaths when the Taliban go inside the homes of local people. How can you prevent casualties then? You can't."
News of the resolution transpired amid reports that, during a battle between US Special Forces and Taliban fighters in Afghanistan's Helmand province Tuesday, a US airstrike killed 21 civilians, including several women and children, according to local officials. One coalition soldier also died.
The New York Times describes Tuesday's 16-hour battle in the village of Sarban Qala, near Sangin in Helmand Province.
During the battle on Tuesday, Afghan National Army troops accompanied by American Special Forces encountered more than 200 well-armed Taliban on a ridge during a patrol 15 miles northeast of Sangin, the United States military said in a statement from Bagram Air Base. The airstrikes were called in to destroy what Sgt. Dean Welch, a spokesman for the American command at the base, said were three compounds and an underground tunnel network.
"We understand there are reports of civilian casualties but don't have any confirmed reports," Sergeant Welch said, adding that an investigation would be started if reports of civilian deaths are confirmed.
The Times notes that the US Special Forces unit was one that operates independently of NATO.
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