Dozens of civilians, Taliban killed in Afghanistan raid

A group of Taliban militants celebrate during a cease-fire in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in 2018. File Photo by Muhammad Sadiq/EPA-EFE

Sept. 23 (UPI) — Dozens of civilians were killed during a special forces raid at a suspected Taliban hideout in Afghanistan on Sunday, government officials said.

Most of the deaths involved women and children who’d been attending a pre-wedding party in the Musa Qala district late Sunday. The death toll included at least 40 civilians and 14 Taliban fighters, officials said.

“The foreign terrorist group was actively engaged in organizing terrorist attacks,” the ministry said in a statement.

More than 300 Afghan civilians were killed in attacks by pro-government forces between January and March.

President Donald Trump canceled peace talks with the Taliban this month following an attack that killed a U.S. soldier.

Navy Vet

Article URL : https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2019/09/23/Dozens-of-civilians-Taliban-killed-in-Afghanistan-raid/1101569250760/?spt=slh&or=3