General David Petraeus has issued new rules to troops in Afghanistan, telling them to "redouble" efforts to avoid civilian deaths -- seen as a crucial issue in winning the increasingly unpopular war.
The head of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan told commanders he believed the counter-insurgency strategy was bearing fruit but warned that any civilian casualties risked losing the battle to win Afghan hearts and minds.
"We must continue -- indeed, redouble -- our efforts to reduce the loss of innocent civilian life to an absolute minimum. Every Afghan civilian death diminishes our cause," he said in the directive released by NATO on Wednesday.
"If we use excessive force or operate contrary to our counter-insurgency principles, tactical victories may prove to be strategic setbacks," he said in the directive, which replaces rules issued to troops in July 2009.
The four-star general, credited with turning around the Iraq war, emphasised the need to partner Afghan troops at all times and to make sure that no civilians are present before using force, except in cases of self-defence.
"And for heavens' sake, DON'T HURT ANYBODY! This is a war, not a place where you can hurt people!" |