Human rights organisation investigating use of White Phosphorus

By Jason Straziuso and Rahim Faiez, Kabul |

AFGHANISTAN’S leading human rights organisation said yesterday it was investigating the possibility that white phosphorus was used in a US-Taliban battle that killed scores of Afghans.

The US military rejected speculation it had used the weapon but left open the possibility Taliban militants did.

Afghan doctors are concerned over what they are calling “unusual” burns on Afghans wounded in last Monday’s battle in Farah province, which President Hamid Karzai has said may have killed 125 to 130 civilians.

Allegations that white phosphorus or another chemical may have been used threatens to deepen the controversy over what Afghan officials say could be the worst case of civilian deaths since the 2001 US invasion that ousted the Taliban regime. The incident in Farah drew the condemnation of Karzai who called for an end to airstrikes.

Nader Nadery, a commissioner for the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission, said officials were concerned white phosphorus may have been used, but he said more investigation was needed.

“Our teams have met with patients,” Nadery told reporters. “They are investigating the cause of the injuries and the use of white phosphorus.”

White phosphorus is a spontaneously flammable material that can cause painful chemical burns. It is used to mark targets, create smoke screens or as a weapon, and can be delivered by shells, flares or hand grenades, according to GlobalSecurity.org.

Human rights groups denounce its use for the severe burns it causes, though it is not banned by any treaty to which the US is a signatory.

The US military used white phosphorus in the battle of Fallujah in Iraq in November 2004.

Israel’s military used it in January against Hamas targets in Gaza.

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Monday, May 11, 2009

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