Protests have erupted in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar after coalition troops opened fire on a bus, killing several passengers. The event further underscores friction between the U.S.-led coalition and ordinary Afghans -- and puts a fresh spotlight on efforts to reduce civilian harm.
According to an International Security Assistance Force news release, the incident occurred when the vehicle approached a route-clearance patrol that was sweeping for mines and roadside bombs. "The convoy could not move to the side of the road to allow the vehicle to pass due to the steep embankment," the release stated. "The ISAF patrol warned off the approaching vehicle once with a flashlight and three times with flares, which were not heeded. Perceiving a threat when the vehicle approached once more at an increased rate of speed, the patrol attempted to warn off the vehicle with hand signals prior to firing upon it. Once engaged, the vehicle then stopped."
ISAF forces then made an unhappy discovery: The vehicle was a passenger bus. Four civilians were killed, including one woman; five others were treated for injuries.
It's the latest in a series of deadly "escalation of force" incidents that have caused civilian outrage. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, has issued guidance that makes it clear to troops on the ground that they need to do their utmost to avoid civilian casualties, even if it means more risks in the short term.
And that's only one piece of the picture. A study released today by the advocacy group Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict (CIVIC) found coalition procedures for compensating civilians caught in the crossfire are not always consistent, meaning that commanders may potentially lose opportunities to repair relations with local communities.
Based on a country-by-country survey of several troop-contributing nations, CIVIC concluded that here was a "lack of coordination among military and civilian actors" when it came to compensating for civilian harm, and no fixed guidelines across the board for all ISAF members.
"Commanders’ discretion in dealing with the local population is often necessary in a counterinsurgency," the report states. "However, wide discretion of local commanders in paying compensation has created enough variation within national contingents and across Afghanistan to cause anger and resentment. The diversity creates confusion for civilians and makes payments seem arbitrary."
Among other recommendations, CIVIC proposed setting practical guidelines for address civilian harm; proactively identifying civilian victims in both hostile and insecure areas; and ensuring amends are provided to civilian victims without access to ISAF forces; and adopting standardized on-the-spot payments for small-scale property damage.
[PHOTO: U.S. Department of Defense]
