Bad intelligence blamed for Afghan civilian deaths

US air strikes in Afghanistan have killed more than 800 civilians, largely because military leaders rely on false information from local warlords.

The findings come in a report by American group Global Exchange.

It says the Pentagon's strategy of bombing targets instead of ground operations has made it harder to discover when intelligence is wrong.

The extreme force used in attacks also means that even when military targets are located nearby, civilians are sometimes killed.

Afghan leaders are now demanding a say in how raids are conducted and indicating they may limit future US military activities.

"We have to have to be given a larger role," Dr Abdullah, the Afghan foreign minister, told the New York Times newspaper.

"If things to not improve, well, I will certainly pray for the Americans and wish them success, but I will no longer be able to take part in this."

Global Exchange field workers in Afghanistan have compiled a list of 812 civilians killed in American air strikes.

The group says it expects that toll to rise as survey teams reach more remote villages.

Marla Ruzicka, a Global Exchange field worker in Afghanistan, said: "Smart bombs are only as smart as people on the ground. Before you bomb, you should be 100% certain of who you are bombing."