UN Investigates US-Led Airstrikes that Killed Dozens of Afghan Civilians

— -- The United Nations announced it has launched an investigation into U.S.-led airstrikes that killed more than 30 civilians -- mostly women and children -- in Afghanistan last week.

The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said Sunday that a preliminary investigation into the airstrikes on Nov. 3 indicated at least 32 civilians were killed and 19 injured, the "vast majority of whom were women and children." The agency added that civilians have been bearing the brunt of the country's ongoing conflict.

“The loss of civilian life is unacceptable and undermines efforts toward building peace and stability in Afghanistan,” Tadamichi Yamamoto, the U.N. secretary-general’s special representative for Afghanistan, said in a statement. “When conducting aerial operations, international military forces should take all feasible measures to minimize civilian harm, including full analysis of the context for aerial strikes."

Advocacy groups applauded news of the probe and pressed that those responsible for civilian casualties be held accountable.

“The horrific events in Kunduz last week are the latest in a growing list of incidents which have resulted in Afghan civilians being killed or injured in attacks that appear to have violated international humanitarian law," Champa Patel, Amnesty International’s South Asia director, said in a statement today.

“If the investigation ultimately does show that the attack violated international humanitarian law, it is critical that US/NATO forces are held accountable," Patel said. "If there is evidence of war crimes, those responsible must be prosecuted in fair trials.”

The U.S. military in Afghanistan admitted partial culpability and expressed remorse over the loss of civilian life in a statement on Saturday, saying "an initial investigation" into the Nov. 3 strike revealed it "likely resulted in civilian casualties."

"I deeply regret the loss of innocent lives, regardless of the circumstances. The loss of innocent life is a tragedy and our thoughts are with the families," Gen. John W. Nicholson, the commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan, said in a statement. "We will work with our Afghan partners to investigate and determine the facts and we will work with the Government of Afghanistan to provide assistance."

The U.S. Forces Afghanistan said the incident occurred when Afghan forces advised by the U.S. targeted Taliban leaders in Boz Village, Kunduz District, Afghanistan. "During the course of the operation, friendly forces encountered significant enemy fire from multiple locations and defended themselves with ground fire and U.S. air-to-ground engagements," U.S. Forces Afghanistan said in a statement, adding that several Taliban leaders and members are believed to have been among those killed in the engagement.