Official: 21 Afghans, 1 Coalition GI Dies

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Airstrikes called in by American Special Forces soldiers fighting with insurgents in southern Afghanistan killed at least 21 civilians, officials said yesterday. One coalition soldier was also killed.

Helmand provincial Governor Assadullah Wafa said Taliban fighters sought shelter in villagers' homes during the fighting in the Sangin district Tuesday evening, and that subsequent airstrikes killed 21 civilians, including several women and children.

President Karzai warned last week, after reports that 51 civilians were killed, that Afghanistan "can no longer accept civilian casualties they way they occur."