‘Friendly Fire’ Kills Five U.S. Service Members In Afghanistan
A coalition jet called in to help ward off a Taliban attack mistakenly bombed the five American service members.
The five were killed along with an Afghan soldier in Zabul province, said Ghulam Sakhi Roghliwanai, the province’s police chief.
According to NATO, the troops were conducting a security operation. Such operations have been stepped up ahead of Afghanistan’s presidential runoff election, which will take place Saturday.
The service members’ unit came in contact with enemy forces. That’s when the casualties occurred, a U.S. military official told CNN. “There is the possibility that fratricide may have been involved,” he said. The incident is under investigation.,,
While fratricide is the crime of murdering one’s brother or sister, the military uses the term to refer to “friendly fire” incidents — troops killing or injuring their allies or comrades.
granpa.usthai June 10th, 2014 at 1:43 pm
not an uncommon occurrence in ‘modern’ warfare.
while Republican legislators will no doubt huff and puff should CIC Obama attempt to express his condolences to family members and will no doubt protest a Military Funeral being that they were not actually KIA by enemy forces, it would still be a proper thing to do and I believe acceptable by most AMERICANS. Soldiers do not always get to chose how or by whom they may become a KIA – but with ALL previous WHITE Presidents have been given a heroes thank you.
Shootist June 10th, 2014 at 3:50 pm
Condolences to the families.