Nato risks becoming 'occupying force': Karzai

Afghan President Hamid Karzai warned Tuesday that the US-led foreign military in Afghanistan risks becoming an "occupying force" if air strikes continue to cause civilian casualties.

In some of his strongest remarks yet, Karzai harked back to Afghanistan's long history of "dealing with occupying forces" such as the Soviet Union and reiterated that bombing the homes of ordinary Afghans was now "banned."

The outspoken comments came after he issued a "last warning" on Sunday to foreign forces over civilian casualties, following the killing of what he said were 14 innocent Afghans in an air strike.

Karzai's relationship with the West has become increasingly strained in recent years, with the controversy over civilian casualties a key factor as US-led efforts to put down a nearly 10-year Taliban insurgency intensify.

Nato’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) insists it does all it can to limit such deaths.

"If after the Afghan government said the aerial bombing of Afghan houses is banned and if it continues, then their presence will change from a war against terrorism to an occupying force," Karzai told a news conference in Kabul.

"And in that case, Afghan history is witness to how the Afghans deal with occupying forces."

This was an apparent reference to historic Afghan defeats of foreign invaders, including the Soviet Union, which entered Afghanistan in 1979 and withdrew 10 years later.

Karzai added: "Bombing Afghan houses is banned."

The incident which triggered Karzai's comments -- Saturday's bombing of a compound in the troubled southern province of Helmand -- left 14 civilians including 11 children dead, according to the president.

ISAF said the death toll was nine and has apologised while saying the strike was carried out after insurgents who had earlier killed a patrolling marine hid in a compound and carried on firing.

Western military figures say that hiding among civilians is a regular Taliban tactic when they are being pursued by international forces.

In the wake of Karzai's comments, ISAF director of public affairs Rear Admiral Vic Beck said that the US commander of troops in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, was aware that "every liberation force has to be very conscious that it can, over time, become seen as an occupation force."

Beck added: "We are in agreement with president Karzai on the importance of constantly examining our actions in light of that reality -- and we are doing just that."

Karzai told the news conference that he would be talking to international military leaders and would specify then what action he would take to prevent further aerial bombings of civilian targets.

"As soon as we meet, probably next Sunday, this will be given to them in clear words, that is what we have in mind," he said.

Afghan analysts warn, however, that Karzai can do very little to prevent Western air strikes despite his jockeying for domestic support.

"Karzai has already warned international troops several times," said one, Ahmad Saeedi.

"This is not the first warning and will not be the last -- he is just doing it to win the support of people and calm those who are angry over the air strikes by foreign troops.

"He doesn't have the possibilities or means to enact his threat."

Saeedi highlighted that Karzai himself was unpopular and reliant on foreign aid and military support.

Rather than carrying out air strikes in Afghanistan, Karzai charges that the war on terrorism should be fought in neighbouring Pakistan, where the Taliban and Al-Qaeda networks have rear bases, and the CIA conducts a covert drone war.

During a visit to Afghanistan on Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the country "is no longer a source of global terrorism".

Nato says strikes on Afghan homes 'necessary'

Nato air strikes on houses in Afghanistan are necessary and will continue in coordination with Afghan forces, the alliance said Tuesday, after President Hamid Karzai said such operations must stop.

Spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said Nato and Afghan authorities are investigating Saturday's bombing of a compound in Helmand province, which Karzai said left 14 civilians dead, but made clear there would be no halt to such operations.

"There will be continued coordination with Afghan security forces on such operations. They are necessary, they continue to be necessary, but they are conducted in coordination and together with Afghan security forces," she told reporters.

The spokeswoman said that Nato commanders "make every effort to ensure there is no loss of innocent life".

Afghan authorities say 11 of those killed on Saturday were children.

"These operations are conducted together with Afghan forces and I think in 85 percent of such operations no shot is fired," Lungescu said, adding that for Nato "every life is precious so we regret the loss of any life,"

"We continue to take very seriously concerns expressed by President Karzai," she added.

Karzai warned Tuesday that the foreign mission in Afghanistan risks becoming an "occupying force" if air strikes continue to cause civilian casualties, and he reiterated that bombing the homes of ordinary Afghans was now "banned."

Nato's International Security Assistance Force put the death toll in the incident in southern Helmand at nine and has apologised. It said the strike was carried out after insurgents who had earlier killed a patrolling marine hid in a compound and carried on firing.

Western military figures say that hiding among civilians is a regular Taliban tactic when they are being pursued by international forces.