Preliminary findings by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) show that at least 23 civilians were killed and three others were wounded in an airstrike in Garmsir district in Helmand province conducted by pro-government forces against Taliban in the area on Tuesday.

“Initial findings indicate that the vast majority of the victims were women and children,” UNAMA said in a statement on Friday. 

The Mission is actively working to verify information indicating up to 10 children were killed along with eight women, and three children were injured, including an eight-year-old boy, the statement said.  

The incident took place during an operation involving Afghan and international military forces, when international military forces conducted an airstrike following engagements between the forces on the ground and Taliban, the statement added.

In this episode host Sadaf Amiri discusses the topic with following guests: 

Sayed Akram Akram, MP

Musa Mahmoodi, CEO of Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission 

Mohammad Radmanish, a military affairs analyst