Afghan Civilians Receive Treatment For Injuries Suffered In Sangin Battle

5/10/2007 -- BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Coalition forces provided medical treatment to 20 Afghan civilians who were apparently wounded during a 16-hour battle between Afghan National Army and Coalition forces and Taliban fighters on May 8 in the Sangin District, Helmand Province.

One child, who was evacuated to a Coalition medical treatment facility nearby, later died of wounds.

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During the fight over 200 Taliban fighters repeatedly attacked the joint ANA and Coalition patrol. Taliban fighters fled into nearby compounds and continued firing on Coalition forces.

Afghan and Coalition forces estimate a significant number of Taliban fighters were killed to include a high-ranking Taliban commander from the Sangin District area.

“Taliban fighters are responsible for the Afghan civilian casualties in the village of Lwar Malazi,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force – 82 spokesman. “Afghan and Coalition forces value the lives of all Afghan civilians and we express our condolences to the families.”

There are confirmed reports of civilian casualties however; it is unknown at this time how many civilian casualties resulted from the fighting.

A joint Afghan and Coalition force inquiry is being conducted.