Taliban extremist use children as human shields in Uruzgan Province

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Several Taliban fighters used children as shields to protect themselves from a joint Afghan National Army and Coalition forces patrol counter-attack this morning.

Elements of the 1st Brigade, 205th Afghan National Army Corps, advised by Coalition forces, were conducting a combat patrol 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) northwest of Firebase Cobra in northwestern Uruzgan Province when more than 20 insurgents attacked them.   The insurgents struck the patrol with small-arms, machine gun, RPGs and mortars from multiple compounds as it neared Sarsina Village.

Coalition close air support was called to repel the attack.  During the engagement, Coalition forces as well as the aircraft identified several insurgents in one compound using children as “human shields.” The ground force commander and the Coalition aircraft did not fire in order to prevent injury to non-combatants.

During the lull in firing, several Taliban attempted to flee the compound on motorcycles and they were engaged by Afghan and Coalition forces.  Both motorcycles were destroyed.

“The enemies of peace and stability continue to show utter disregard for the innocent children of Afghanistan,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force-82 spokesperson.  “What makes this event all the more remarkable is that the insurgents attempted to save their own lives at the expense of these children during the holy month of Ramadan.  It was incredibly fortunate that non-combatants, especially the children, were not injured by these reckless acts today. ”

More than a dozen enemy fighters were killed in the engagement.  No ANA, Coalition servicemembers or non-combatants were reported injured or killed during the fighting.
Contact Information – CJTF-82 Public Affairs Office Tel – 0093-799-063-013

DSN: 318-431-7852

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