US Launches Criminal Probe on Soldiers in Afghanistan, Reuters, 20 May 2010

EXCERPT: "The United States has launched an investigation into allegations that a number of American soldiers were responsible for the 'unlawful deaths' of at least three Afghan civilians, the U.S. military said on Thursday. 'There are also allegations of illegal drug use, assault and conspiracy,' the military said in a statement, adding that while no charges had yet been laid, one soldier was in pre-trial confinement. The United States, which has the bulk of some 140,000 foreign troops in Afghanistan, has been criticized several times by rights groups and Afghans for allegedly maltreating civilians and torturing suspected militant prisoners."

Read the full story.

Related articles:
US aims to protect innocent Afghan civilians first, The Washington Times, 20 May 2010
Civilian casualties raise Afghan ire at US, TIME, 16 May 2010

Related posts:
Afghan protests over NATO raid in Nangarhar province, 14 May 2010
Civilian casualties rising in Afghanistan, 13 May 2010
NATO to reward "courageous restraint" in civilian killings, 4 May 2010
Civilian deaths increase by 33%: Govt, 3 May 2010