Karzai ‘axes leader for US rebuke’

Afghan governor fired for criticising raid in which civilians died, Al Jazeera learns.

nuristan us air raid civilians
Civilians were hit during a US air raid in Nuristan on July 5, the province's governor said

But while Nuristani said that a mistake by US forces may have caused the deaths, he said the incident was “inexcusable because [the US] knew that … civilians were leaving the area”.

“I think the president, the whole cabinet and the people of Afghanistan are getting angry and that is not helping our cause, nor the Americans or Nato. It is helping the Taliban, not us,” he said in the interview.

‘Investigation’ call

Nuristani said there should be an independent investigation in any future incidents where civilians are killed.

“An independent commission should come; maybe human rights lawyers and the government and the coalition forces lawyers could investigate,” he said in the interview with Al Jazeera after the US air-raid.

“The civilians from the local area should be included in any investigation to see what has really happened in the area.”

Nuristani was fired by Karzai’s office after the interview was broadcast on Al Jazeera, according to reliable sources.

The governor was told his comments in the interview were the reason for his dismissal, the sources told Al Jazeera.

Karzai has himself spoken many times in the past about civilian casualties caused by raids carried out by the US-led force and Nato troops.

The presidential palace has given no explanation why Karzai fired the Nurstani, given that the governor’s comments were similar to those the president has himself made in the past.

Source: Al Jazeera