U.S.: Taliban fighters using civilians as human shields

MARJAH, Afghanistan - Taliban fighters holding out in Marjah are increasingly using civilians as human shields, firing from compounds where U.S. and Afghan forces can clearly see women and children on rooftops or in windows, Afghan and U.S. troops said yesterday.

The intermingling of fighters and civilians also has been witnessed by Associated Press journalists. It is part of a Taliban effort to exploit strict NATO rules against endangering innocent lives to impede the allied advance through the town in Helmand province, 380 miles southwest of Kabul.

Two more NATO service members were killed in the Marjah operation yesterday, the alliance said in a statement.

Their deaths brought to six NATO service members and one Afghan soldier killed since the attack on Marjah began Saturday. About 40 insurgents have been killed, Helmand Gov. Gulab Mangal said.

During yesterday's fighting, Marines and Afghan troops "saw sustained but less frequent insurgent activity," mostly small-scale attacks, NATO said.

NATO spokesman Brig. Gen. Eric Tremblay told journalists in Brussels that most of the objectives have been achieved.

Marines and Afghan soldiers have been forced to hold their fire because insurgents are shooting from inside or next to mud-walled compounds where civilians are present.

Brig. Gen. Mohiudin Ghori, commander of Afghan troops in Marjah, said women and children may have been ordered to show themselves when Taliban fighters are targeted.

NATO has confirmed 15 civilian deaths. - AP