Twenty-one Afghan civilians 'killed in coalition airstrike'

At least 21 civilians were killed in airstrikes called in by US Special Forces soldiers fighting with insurgents in southern Afghanistan, officials said today.

Helmand provincial Gov. Assadullah Wafa said Taliban fighters sought shelter in villagers’ homes during the fighting in the Sangin district yesterday evening, and that subsequent airstrikes killed 21 civilians, including several women and children.