Directive Stresses Protection of Civilians

Troops serving in Afghanistan have received new orders from their commander, which stress the importance of protecting civilian lives and property during combat operations there. In a July 2 directive issued by Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan and NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, troops are directed to carefully weigh the need to call for close-air support in operations that take place near civilian enclaves. Also, it will be up to Afghan troops, with the blessing of local authorities, to conduct searches of Afghan homes. And firing upon mosques or other religious structures is forbidden, except in cases of self-defense. McChrystal’s guidelines essentially reinforce existing policies, but reiterate them in the context of the conflict at hand. Taliban and insurgent forces make a conscious effort to start firefights in areas populated by civilians, the guidance says, in an effort to win a propaganda campaign in which they purport that U.S. and coalition forces do not care about civilian lives. Field commanders still have the authority to take steps to protect their troops during combat. But, McChrystal said, “We must avoid the trap of winning tactical victories – but suffering strategic defeats – by causing civilian casualties or excessive damage and thus alienating the people.”