Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Karzai to Ban Afghan Forces from Requesting Airstrikes Afghanistan`s President Hamid Karzai says Afghan security forces will be banned from asking NATO forces to carry out airstrikes on residential areas. In an address to officers at a military academy in Kabul, Mr. Karzai said he will issue a decree on Sunday stating that under no circumstances can Afghan forces request airstrikes on homes or villages. His announcement was in apparent reference to a NATO airstrike that killed 10 people, including women and children, in Kunar province on Wednesday. Afghan forces requested the airstrike during a joint Afghan-U.S. operation targeting Taliban fighters in the region. At least three Taliban militants with links to al-Qaida died in the raid. Civilian casualties have been a major source of friction between Afghanistan and the U.S.-led international coalition during the 11-year war in the country. Mr. Karzai regularly condemns the killing of civilians. ### __________________________________________________________________ [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/karzai-to-ban-afghan-forces-from-requ esting-airstrikes/1604966.html References 1. http://www.voanews.com/content/karzai-to-ban-afghan-forces-from-requesting-airstrikes/1604966.html