US air strikes kill over 20 people in Afghanistan

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan

U.S. air strikes killed more than 20 people, including civilians, in the restive Helmand province of Afghanistan, officials and local media confirmed on Wednesday.

Provincial Governor Mohammad Yaseen Khan told Anadolu Agency the air raid was targeting rebels in Garmsir district.

Without confirming the death toll, he said Taliban militants hid inside a house resulting in civilian casualties.

Local broadcaster Tolo News reported at least 30 people, including women and children, were killed.

U.S. forces have not yet commented on the incident.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed said in a tweet that the air raid killed 23 civilians in the district.