Tribal groups target of renewed US bombing

By ANDREW BUNCOMBE

The Pentagon's campaign in Afghanistan has entered a new phase, with bombing raids now being aimed at non-Taleban and al Qaeda forces opposed to the interim Government.

Until now, the wide-ranging United States military operation had focused on forces of the former regime and Osama bin Laden's terrorist network.

But it was reported yesterday that the Pentagon ordered two bombing raids against Afghan militias opposed to the new Administration led by Hamid Karzai.

US Central Command said American aircraft had dropped precision-guided bombs when "enemy troops" attacked forces loyal to Karzai and his eight-week old Administration on Sunday and Monday. Both took place near the southeastern city of Khost.

The strikes were the first since the US military operation began on October 7 that have been aimed at warlords still opposed to the new Administration in Kabul. Once fighting started recently between various factions in northern and eastern Afghanistan, Karzai said he would appeal to the US for support in putting down that fighting.

Yesterday the New York Times reported that details of the US airstrikes in support of Karzai remained scant. The US statement said the bombing strikes had been requested by "pro-Government forces" after "enemy troops" fired on them as they attempted to pass a roadblock.

The newspaper reported that local Afghan commanders said the incident evolved from a clash between two tribal militias - one from the Kochi clan, the other from the Gorboz clan - about 30km from Khost. Another report said that the bombing strikes came after pro-Karzai forces tried to stop the clash between the two tribes.

The US is aware of the dangers of being drawn into local conflicts and of being used to settle old scores. There has been at least one incident where a US strike was called in on a tribal group by its rivals.

- INDEPENDENT

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