An Afghan political leader has sharply criticized US military forces for civilian casualties in Afghanistan, calling for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign troops from the war-weary country, Press TVreports.On Sunday, head of Wefaq Milli Afghanistan [Afghanistan National Unity Party], Bismillah Shir accused the United States and its allies of exercising double standards towards Afghanistan.
He noted that US forces have not been deployed to Afghanistan in order to fight against Taliban militants, but rather Washington is pursuing its own interests there and in the region.
Shir also censured American troops for killing civilians in their military operations.
Hundreds of civilians have been killed in the US-led airstrikes and ground operations in various parts of Afghanistan over the past years.
The US claims that its operations target militants, but local officials and witnesses maintain that civilians have been the main victims of the attacks.
Civilian casualties have long been a source of friction between the Afghan government and US-led forces, and have dramatically increased anti-US sentiments in the war-torn country.
The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 as part of Washingtons so-called war on terror.
The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but insecurity continues to rise across the country, despite the presence of thousands of US-led troops.
By Press TV
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