Friendly fire in Afghanistan injured French soldiers, says inquiry

France's Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that three French soldiers injured last month in an operation in Afghanistan had in fact been hit by friendly fire, due to "a series of misunderstandings".

By News Wires (text)

AP - The French Defense Ministry says an investigation shows that friendly fire was behind the injury of three French soldiers during an operation in Afghanistan last month.

The inquiry, published Wednesday, concluded that shots from a French unit were to blame for the Aug. 23 incident, which took place in the dark in an overgrown area where insurgents were known to be present.

The report concludes that “these delicate conditions led to a series of misunderstandings between units on the ground.”

The three soldiers injured in the incident were evacuated to France and two remain in the hospital, one in serious condition.

The report says the risk of friendly fire is “inherent” in such operations, despite measures to reduce that risk to a minimum.

Date created : 02/09/2010

- Afghanistan war - French military

Friendly fire in Afghanistan injured French soldiers, says inquiry

France's Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that three French soldiers injured last month in an operation in Afghanistan had in fact been hit by friendly fire, due to "a series of misunderstandings".

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