NATO Denies Involvement in Civilians’ White Phosphorus Burns

By Shayne R. Burnham
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia


KABUL, Afghanistan
– Human rights organizations condemn the use of the chemical white phosphorus by NATO in the battles against the Afghan Taliban.  An 8 year old civilian suffered severe burns to her face and neck on March 14, 2009 in Alahsay district in eastern Kapisa Province.  The girl is currently stationed at a U.S. military base in Bagram where medics found white phosphorus on her face and neck.

“White phosphorus causes horrendous burns and should not be used in civilian areas,” said Marc Garlasco, senior military analyst at Human Rights Watch. “NATO should immediately make public the results of its investigation into this incident.”

Chemicals such as white phosphorus is typically used to provide light during the night, to create smokescreens to hide military operations or burn buildings. Uses such as these are not prohibited by international treaties.  Yet to prevent future civilian casualties and injuries, human rights groups declare that utilizing such a chemical in densely populated areas violates international humanitarian law, and should be prohibited.

Colonel Gregory Julian, a spokesman for the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, confirmed that Western forces indeed use the chemical. He stated, “it is used on the battlefield in certain applications. . .  It is used as an incendiary to destroy bunkers and enemy equipment; it’s used for illumination.”

However, the victim’s father, Aziz Rahman stated that a shell fired by NATO forces landed on his home.  “(Western) troops were on the road, the Taliban were on the mountain and we were at the house, sandwiched between them. When the Taliban began retreating, they fired artillery at them, 12 rounds. One hit my house,” he said.

A NATO spokesperson denies allegations that it was NATO forces that caused these injuries.  Officials state that no shots were fired that could have landed on the victim’s home, but never deny that white phosphorus was used.  Instead, they suggest that insurgents may have been responsible.  The international Security Assistance Force released a report indicating that insurgents used white phosphorus on four occasions since December 2007.

Yet, Defense Ministry spokesman Azher Murad said, “I am not aware that the Taliban have used this is any of their attacks.”

NATO is currently conducting investigations into the matter.  Human rights groups call for the immediate release of the results.

For more information, please see:

Associated Press – Afghan Rights Group Probes Civilians’ Burns, US Militay Denies Using White Phosphorus – 10 May 2009

Human Rights Watch – Afghanistan: NATO Should ‘Come Clean’ on White Phosphorus – 8 May 2009

Reuters – Exclusive: Afghan Girl’s Burns Show Horror of Chemical Strike – 8 May 2009

Author: Impunity Watch Archive