Afghan anger over deadly air strike

The U.S. military has been accused of killing 12 civilians in air strikes in western Afghanistan which American forces say killed a key Taliban commander.

There's no dispute over the location of a recent air strike in Afghanistan - just the consequences of it.

The US military claim they killed 16 militants - including a wanted Taliban commander.

Afghan officials insist 12 civilians died - six women, four men and two children.

(SOUNDBITE) (Dari) KARIM KHAN A RESIDENT OF THE AREA, SAYING:

"It was four in the morning when the aircraft started bombing, and people were asleep. Thirteen people from the tents and three other visitors were killed."

The bomb struck a cluster of tents housing 100 families in the Gozara district of Herat.

Local police say 60 animals were also killed and all 18 tents were destroyed.

The number of civilian casualties is a sensitive issue in Afghanistan.

More than 2,100 were killed last year - a quarter of them were victims of air strikes.

This latest incident could re-ignite anger over the issue and cause concern in some areas about America's decision to send more troops to the country.

Sonia Legg, Reuters