Video fuels anti-U.S. sentiment

KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- A video showing U.S. Marines urinating on three dead Taliban fighters raised concerns in Washington that the images could upset fragile U.S.-Afghan relations.

The video, which went viral on the Internet this week, provoked widespread condemnation.

It could weaken U.S. efforts to maintain relations with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and negotiate with the Taliban, The New York Times reported Friday.

Senior U.S. military officials in Kabul and at the Pentagon confirmed the video was authentic. They identified the Marines as part of the Third Battalion, Second Marines. The unit completed a tour in Afghanistan before returning Camp Lejeune, N.C., last fall.

Pentagon officials said the video was made between March and September 2011 when the battalion was stationed in Helmand province, a Taliban stronghold.

The Taliban and Karzai both said the images are evidence of U.S. brutality.

In Washington, U.S. officials condemned the video and tried to repair any damage caused to U.S.-Afghan relations. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta called Karzai to assure him a thorough investigation would be conducted.

Taliban leaders initially indicated Thursday the video wouldn't undercut talks, but later said in an official statement, "We strongly condemn the inhuman act of wild American soldiers, as ever, and consider this act in contradiction with all human and ethical norms."

Karzai said he was disturbed by the images and asked that the Marines be punished severely, the Times reported.

"This act by American soldiers is simply inhuman and condemnable in the strongest possible terms," he said.

Hajji Ahmad Fareed, a former member of Parliament, told the Times the images are confirmation to him that America was anti-Islam.

The Americans "will never be friends with us and never bring peace," he said.