U.S. drone strike kills 30 pine nut farm workers in Afghanistan

[quote]JALALABAD (Reuters) - A U.S. drone strike intended to hit an Islamic State (IS) hideout in Afghanistan killed at least 30 civilians resting after a day’s labor in the fields, officials said on Thursday.

The attack on Wednesday night [B]also injured 40 people after accidentally targeting farmers and laborers[/B] who had just finished collecting pine nuts at mountainous Wazir Tangi in eastern Nangarhar province, three Afghan officials told Reuters.

“The workers had lit a bonfire and were sitting together when a drone targeted them,” tribal elder Malik Rahat Gul told Reuters by telephone from Wazir Tangi.

Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry and a senior U.S official in Kabul confirmed the drone strike, but did not share details of civilian casualties.

“U.S. forces conducted a drone strike against Da’esh (IS) terrorists in Nangarhar,” said Colonel Sonny Leggett, a spokesman for U.S. forces in Afghanistan. “We are aware of allegations of the death of non-combatants and are working with local officials to determine the facts.”

Haidar Khan, who owns the pine nut fields, said about 150 workers were there for harvesting, with some still missing as well as the confirmed dead and injured.

A survivor of the drone strike said about 200 laborers were sleeping in five tents pitched near the farm when the attack happened.

“Some of us managed to escape, some were injured but many were killed,” said Juma Gul, a resident of northeastern Kunar province who had traveled along with laborers to harvest and shell pine nuts this week.

The exact number of IS fighters is difficult to calculate because they frequently switch allegiances, [B]but the U.S. military estimates there are about 2,000[/B].[/quote]

[url]https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-attack-drones/u-s-drone-strike-kills-30-pine-nut-farm-workers-in-afghanistan-idUSKBN1W40NW?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&utm_source=reddit.com[/url]

Just the USA killing more civilians and non combatants in the name of freedom and "intent" to kill Islamic State forces. Mind you, there are ONLY 2,000 of those ****ers in Afghanistan...how can you assume a group of people sitting around a lit bonfire are with IS and not just regular people trying to make a dollar?? This will inevitably get completely swept under the rug yet again and no one will bat an eye. It's ONLY TERRORISM when it happens to a non-Muslim country. But you can kill all the civilians you want in places like Afghanistan and get away with it.


Disgusting.

thank god they didn't strike the poppy plantation

Disgusting

I cant defend this bs

Mistakes happen. Sometimes bad intel is given. This isn't the first time something like this has happened, and it won't be the last.

Life goes on.

[QUOTE=Patrick Chewing]Mistakes happen. Sometimes bad intel is given. This isn't the first time something like this has happened, and it won't be the last.

[B]Life goes on[/B].[/QUOTE]
Not for them :facepalm


This is how terrorists recruit

[QUOTE=Patrick Chewing]Mistakes happen. Sometimes bad intel is given. This isn't the first time something like this has happened, and it won't be the last.

Life goes on.[/QUOTE]



Is this the message you'd send to the families of these people who have to live the rest of their lives knowing their father/uncle/son/daughter were killed due to "bad intel"?


"Our bad, but mistakes happen. You guys will be ok. Remember, we are here for your benefit! Remember that and don't hate us!".



At what point does America become the terrorist and the "terrorist groups" become people defending themselves?

[QUOTE=LAmbruh]Not for them :facepalm


This is how terrorists recruit[/QUOTE]


Bingo. Thank you, Lambruh. Only thing is idek if you can consider them terrorists after their loved ones get killed for no reason. To them, the US military is the terrorist...is it not?


This isn't just 30 people dead and 40 injured. Each and every one of those people have family and friends who are directly effected by this. How can we blame them for hating us?

question for trump supporters, is this winning?

[QUOTE=Patrick Chewing]Mistakes happen. Sometimes bad intel is given. This isn't the first time something like this has happened, and it won't be the last.

Life goes on.[/QUOTE]:biggums:

I refuse to believe you're a Catholic...killing is wrong and it's a mortal sin, especially when innocent people are involved.

Be gone demon! Into the depths of hell may you rot!

Good thing this never happened under the Obama administration. Oh wait, it did, like thousands of times.

FYI the Taliban kill civilians all the time. Just yesterday they exploded a truck outside a hospital and killed dozens of women and children. When this happens the Taliban says it's the victim's fault for getting too close.

[Quote]

200 laborers were sleeping in five tents[/Quote]


WTF? Were they stacked like firewood?

[QUOTE=LAmbruh]This is how terrorists recruit[/QUOTE]

yep. makes their pitch to the public infinitely easier.

who would really blame the survivors of this, or afghanis in general, for becoming at the very least indifferent towards isil/al qaeda/the taliban? :confusedshrug:

and this is just one of many similar incidents, in several countries.

[QUOTE=rufuspaul][B]Good thing this never happened under the Obama administration. Oh wait, it did, like thousands of times.[/B]

FYI the Taliban kill civilians all the time. Just yesterday they exploded a truck outside a hospital and killed dozens of women and children. When this happens the Taliban says it's the victim's fault for getting too close.




WTF? Were they stacked like firewood?[/QUOTE]
and it wasn't ok under him either. this whole drone strike program seems like any loosely verified intel is enough to certify a drone strike...wtf?

it's literally creating new terrorists.

[QUOTE=rufuspaul]Good thing this never happened under the Obama administration. Oh wait, it did, like thousands of times.
[/quote]

Do you see anything about Trump or Obama in the OP? Idgaf who the president is.

[quote]
FYI the Taliban kill civilians all the time. Just yesterday they exploded a truck outside a hospital and killed dozens of women and children. When this happens the Taliban says it's the victim's fault for getting too close.
[/QUOTE]

So if the Taliban do it, then it's fine if we do it. Is that seriously your rational?

I'm not affiliated in any way, shape, or form with that group. I AM HOWEVER, affiliated with the United States. This is my home and the country I reside in.

[QUOTE=Bosnian Sajo]Do you see anything about Trump or Obama in the OP? Idgaf who the president is.



So if the Taliban do it, then it's fine if we do it. Is that seriously your rational?

I'm not affiliated in any way, shape, or form with that group. I AM HOWEVER, affiliated with the United States. This is my home and the country I reside in.[/QUOTE]
He's pre-conditioned to defend, obfuscate, and deny anything and everything Trump related. Even if we aren't talking about him. Trumpettes can't help themselves.

Good thing the recent peace talks fell apart....phew! That was close. Got to keep those troops in there to support the upcoming war in Iran. That was the plan all along anyway....It has just taken a bit longer than anticipated....Hence the endless "war" in Afghanistan.

This sort of thing is terrible and reprehensible. I understand our reliance on drones... it keeps our troops safe, it's relatively effective, and we can act quickly and decisively when threats are found and identified. However, we need to take a step back and acknowledge that were are consistently killing civilians and innocents. There needs to be far more public oversight and accountability. In this instance, if the reports hold up and these were indeed innocents, who loses their job? Who is tried and jailed? We're not talking civilians mixed with terrorists. We're talking just civilians.

[QUOTE=Bosnian Sajo]Is this the message you'd send to the families of these people who have to live the rest of their lives knowing their father/uncle/son/daughter were killed due to "bad intel"?


"Our bad, but mistakes happen. You guys will be ok. Remember, we are here for your benefit! Remember that and don't hate us!".



At what point does America become the terrorist and the "terrorist groups" become people defending themselves?[/QUOTE]


America isn't the enemy to Afghans. It's the terrorist cells and it's the Taliban. If Afghanistan had a legitimate government and weren't overrun by terrorists, then we would not be getting involved. So the only one the Afghans have to blame is themselves. Hard truths my man.

[QUOTE=Patrick Chewing]America isn't the enemy to Afghans. It's the terrorist cells and it's the Taliban. If Afghanistan had a legitimate government and weren't overrun by terrorists, then we would not be getting involved. So the only one the Afghans have to blame is themselves. Hard truths my man.[/QUOTE]

Patrick...you don't even believe that.

Look at the POV of the family and friends of the 30 people that died and 40 that got injured, the Taliban didn't send out this drone to harm their loved ones. Who do they hold this against?

I'm not playing your game, find someone else to play with.

[QUOTE=TheMan]:biggums:

I refuse to believe you're a Catholic...killing is wrong and it's a mortal sin, especially when innocent people are involved.

Be gone demon! Into the depths of hell may you rot![/QUOTE]


The hell are you talking about? All I said was that mistakes happen. Nowhere did I say or imply that killing innocent civilians is warranted or celebrated. You're insinuating that this was a deliberate attack.

[QUOTE=Patrick Chewing]You're insinuating that this was a deliberate attack.[/QUOTE]



...It was exactly that. What, you wanna argue that the drone acted in self defense??

[QUOTE=Bosnian Sajo]Patrick...you don't even believe that.

Look at the POV of the family and friends of the 30 people that died and 40 that got injured, the Taliban didn't send out this drone to harm their loved ones. Who do they hold this against?

I'm not playing your game, find someone else to play with.[/QUOTE]


Don't believe what? That the Taliban is the true enemy to Afghans? That's irrefutable. So what part of what I said is untrue and I shouldn't believe?

Yes, what happened was tragic. No one is denying this. But I'm not going to burn the world down because of it, when everyone knows full well that the bigger threat to Afghanistan is the terrorists that run that country and that recruit with or without American drones dropping a bomb on the wrong target.

[QUOTE=Bosnian Sajo]...It was exactly that. What, you wanna argue that the drone acted in self defense??[/QUOTE]


A deliberate attack on innocent civilians, genius. The order wasn't to kill innocent people. Come on man, you're smarter than this.

[QUOTE=Bosnian Sajo]

Look at the POV of the family and friends of the 30 people that died and 40 that got injured, the Taliban didn't send out this drone to harm their loved ones. Who do they hold this against?

[/QUOTE]


The question these people should be asking is why has the US been dropping bombs from drones in the first place. Not who dropped this bomb on us this time around.

You're making Afghans out to be simple goat-herders incapable of seeing the big picture of why other countries intervene in the first place. If the United States isn't dropping bombs on terrorists, then who will?

Do we really need to keep spending billions and trillions of tax dollars to kill random targets for the next decade instead of taking care of the country's domestic issues Chewing? Actual question, food for thought.

[QUOTE=sammichoffate]Do we really need to keep spending billions and trillions of tax dollars to kill random targets for the next decade instead of taking care of the country's domestic issues Chewing? Actual question, food for thought.[/QUOTE]


Drone strikes are a lot cheaper than putting boots on the ground, but I'm with you. We're going to need the money to feed all these hungry mouths that keep crossing the border on a daily basis.

OP enjoys American freedom and opportunity and won't surrender either, but he has the audacity to criticize why he lives the way he does.

Pathetic.

[QUOTE=stalkerforlife]OP enjoys American freedom and opportunity and won't surrender either, but he has the audacity to criticize why he lives the way he does.

Pathetic.[/QUOTE]


I'm struggling to understand what exactly you are trying to say here. We have freedom and opportunity because the military is overseas killing civilians? Is that your argument?

[QUOTE=Bosnian Sajo]Do you see anything about Trump or Obama in the OP? Idgaf who the president is.

[/QUOTE]

Oh really? Where was all your outrage when this sort of thing was happening over and over during the Obama years? :confusedshrug:


[Quote=Facepalm]He's pre-conditioned to defend, obfuscate, and deny anything and everything Trump related. Even if we aren't talking about him. Trumpettes can't help themselves.[/Quote]

Oh shut up and go and change your armor Kevin.

[QUOTE=rufuspaul]Oh really? Where was all your outrage when this sort of thing was happening over and over during the Obama years? :confusedshrug:

[/QUOTE]


Well, to his defense, he was avoiding being labeled a racist by criticizing a Black person. :lol

[QUOTE=rufuspaul]Oh really? Where was all your outrage when this sort of thing was happening over and over during the Obama years? :confusedshrug:



[/QUOTE]

Do you know of an efficient way to search through ISH to find posts? Because I've been going on about this bs since 9er was here back in 2013.


Me, J$, imdaman, red1 and more have always talked about the injustice of Muslims...it's always been the same group to argue against it, the 9ers...pat chewing..tomtucker...welcome to that illustrious group, rufus.


Again dude...idgaf about your lord and savior Trump, I haven't mentioned him once in this thread other than in replies to you. Politely **** off if that's all you wanna talk about.


FYI, I'm on record saying Obama is probably one of the worst presidents due to this very issue, killing civilians and non combatants. It's EXACTLY why I didn't vote for Hillary, either.


You Trump guys are obsessed, I don't wanna talk about him.

:facepalm


sad

[QUOTE=Bosnian Sajo]I'm struggling to understand what exactly you are trying to say here. We have freedom and opportunity because the military is overseas killing civilians? Is that your argument?[/QUOTE]
You're attempting to use logic on a population of 1 part troll and 1 part true believing foxbots. Either way, that's futile.

Save your passion/discussion for moderates in real life.

PS: I honestly wonder if even Stalker knows what he really believes anymore he trolls so hard. He just exists to stir shit up. He's smarter than most give him for here, but he ain't that smart.

PPS: These strikes are reprehensible, same as they were under Obama. This shit creates terrorists. I'd dedicate the rest of my life towards ending anybody that took out my family as collateral damage, purposely or not.

[QUOTE=Bosnian Sajo]I'm struggling to understand what exactly you are trying to say here. We have freedom and opportunity because the military is overseas killing civilians? Is that your argument?[/QUOTE]

Yes.

[QUOTE=Loco 50]You're attempting to use logic on a population of 1 part troll and 1 part true believing foxbots. Either way, that's futile.

Save your passion/discussion for moderates in real life.

PS: I honestly wonder if even Stalker knows what he really believes anymore he trolls so hard. He just exists to stir shit up. He's smarter than most give him for here, but he ain't that smart.[/QUOTE]

You're overthinking everything.

And you give me too much credit; I'm really stupid.

But I know more than anyone.

See how stupid that sounds?

Anyhow, just stop overthinking.

[QUOTE=stalkerforlife]You're overthinking everything.

And you give me too much credit; I'm really stupid.

But I know more than anyone.

See how stupid that sounds?

Anyhow, just stop overthinking.[/QUOTE]


Stalk, I'm supportive of you on this forum and encourage you to be involved, sharing stories and what not...but could we please do without the trolling for a lil? It's bad enough with Patty over here.

[QUOTE=stalkerforlife]You're overthinking everything.

And you give me too much credit; I'm really stupid.

But I know more than anyone.

See how stupid that sounds?

Anyhow, just stop overthinking.[/QUOTE]
It's much easier to get over on people when they think you're dumb, isn't it?

We'd get along in real life, I just wish you'd use your powers for good.

It's 30 foreigners and it couldn't happen at home, so nobody cares.

If a guy shoots up a mall and kills 5 people? National ****ing meltdown, let me tell you. [I]Ban all guns NOW!!! BAN "ASSAULT" RIFLES NOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!![/I]

In short, people are retarded. You... you reading this... you're probably retarded.

[QUOTE=Loco 50]It's much easier to get over on people when they think you're dumb, isn't it?

We'd get along in real life, I just wish you'd use your powers for good.[/QUOTE]

As someone with severe emotional trauma, acceptance and compliments make me extremely uncomfortable and make me cringe and want to destroy something.

Please treat me like shit.

Thank you in advance.

[QUOTE=Bosnian Sajo]

Me, J$, imdaman, red1 and more have always talked about the injustice of Muslims...it's always been the same group to argue against it, the 9ers...pat chewing..tomtucker...welcome to that illustrious group, rufus.
[/QUOTE]


The problem you guys have is that you never look inwardly at yourselves. Guys like you move from these war torn countries and live the good life in Western societies, yet you continuously blame Western society for attempting to fix the problem that caused you to move here in the first place.

The biggest threat to Muslims and the biggest injustice committed towards Muslims is by......fellow Muslims. Millions of Muslims are violently killed by other Muslims on a yearly basis, yet here you are creating a thread and freaking the hell out about a drone strike that mistakenly killed 30 people. I mean, WTF??


This is why you will always face backlash from the likes of us.

[QUOTE=Shogon]It's 30 foreigners and it couldn't happen at home, so nobody cares.

If a guy shoots up a mall and kills 5 people? National ****ing meltdown, let me tell you. [I]Ban all guns NOW!!! BAN "ASSAULT" RIFLES NOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!![/I]

In short, people are retarded. You... you reading this... you're probably retarded.[/QUOTE]

:roll:

I'm definitely retarded.