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Dozens of civilians, Taliban killed in Afghanistan raid

By Nicholas Sakelaris
A group of Taliban militants celebrate during a cease-fire in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in 2018. File Photo by Muhammad Sadiq/EPA-EFE
A group of Taliban militants celebrate during a cease-fire in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in 2018. File Photo by Muhammad Sadiq/EPA-EFE

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Dozens of civilians were killed during a special forces raid at a suspected Taliban hideout in Afghanistan on Sunday, government officials said.

Most of the deaths involved women and children who'd been attending a pre-wedding party in the Musa Qala district late Sunday. The death toll included at least 40 civilians and 14 Taliban fighters, officials said.

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Helmand government spokesman Omar Zowak said Afghan forces were conducting a night operation when civilians passing by were accidentally hit.

"We know there have been civilian deaths in this raid but we don't have a number yet," Zowak told Al Jazeera.

A large warehouse full of supplies was also destroyed.

"The foreign terrorist group was actively engaged in organizing terrorist attacks," the ministry said in a statement.

More than 300 Afghan civilians were killed in attacks by pro-government forces between January and March.

President Donald Trump canceled peace talks with the Taliban this month following an attack that killed a U.S. soldier.

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