At least 20 Afghan civilians killed in airstrike: officials

The strike, against local Taliban commander Sharif Mawiya, was the latest in a series targeting senior insurgents, including the shadow governor of the strategic southern province of Helmand, who was killed on Dec. 2. Several Taliban military commanders have been killed this month by Afghan forces, backed by U.S. advisers and air power. The tactic has raised the risk of civilian casualties and Abdul Latif Fazly, a member of the provincial council, said eight women and 12 children were killed and more than 15 others wounded in Friday’s airstrike.