The US military has announced it will investigate the use of air strikes in Afghanistan following criticisms over the deaths of Afghan civilians.
Gen David Petraeus, head of US Central Command, has appointed a brigadier general "with extensive experience in conventional and special operations" to review the Afghan air strikes issue.
However, Gen Petraeus said "tactical actions" should not undermine strategic goals.
Concern has been voiced over the possible use by US military forces of white phosphorous after Afghan villagers suffered "unusual" burns.
The American military denied using the incendiary during a battle in Farah province - which President Hamid Karzai has said killed 125 to 130 civilians - but left open the possibility that Taliban militants did. The US says Taliban fighters have used white phosphorus, a spontaneously flammable material that leaves severe chemical burns on flesh, at least four times the last two years.
Using white phosphorus to illuminate a target or create smoke is considered legitimate under international law, but rights groups say its use over populated areas can indiscriminately burn civilians and constitutes a war crime.
Afghan doctors have treated at least 14 patients with severe burns the doctors have never seen before. The villagers were wounded during last Monday's battle in Farah province.
Allegations that white phosphorus or another chemical may have been used threatens to deepen the controversy over what Afghan officials say could be the worst case of civilian deaths since the 2001 US invasion that ousted the Taliban regime.
In Kabul yesterday, hundreds of people marched near Kabul University to protest the US military's role in the deaths. Protesters carried signs denouncing the US and chanted anti-American slogans.
The incident in Farah drew the condemnation of President Karzai, who called for an end to airstrikes. The US has said militants kept villagers captive in hopes they would die in the fighting, creating a civilian casualties controversy.
Along with Afghan and US investigations into the battle, the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission has been looking into concerns that white phosphorus may have been used after strange burns were reported.
White phosphorus is a spontaneously flammable material that can cause painful chemical burns. It is used to mark targets, create smoke screens or as a weapon, and can be delivered by shells, flares or hand grenades, according to GlobalSecurity.org.
The US military used white phosphorus in the battle of Fallujah in Iraq in November 2004. Israel's military used it in January against Hamas targets in Gaza.
Julian noted that military officials believe that Taliban militants have used white phosphorus at least four times in Afghanistan in the past two years. "I don't know if they (militants) had it out there or not, but it's not out of the question," he said.
AP