After suspension, HIMARS OK'd for Afghanistan use
The U.S. Army has cleared the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) for use in Afghanistan, one day after two HIMARS rockets killed civilians in Marjah.
Officials with the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) suspended the use of HIMARS on Feb. 14, while they reviewed the incident. The ban was lifted after they determined the system was not at fault, said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Sabrina Foster, a spokeswoman for ISAF.
"The review into the incident is ongoing, but it has been determined that the HIMARS system was not to blame," Foster said in an e-mail. "Use of the HIMARS system has been reinstated for defense purposes in accordance with the tactical directive and standard use of engagement rules."
According to a Feb. 14 press release, the two rockets were intended to hit a compound "where insurgents were delivering accurate, direct fire on an Afghan-ISAF joint team." Instead, the rockets landed "approximately 300 meters off their intended target, killing 12 civilians in Nad Ali district, Helmand Province," the NATO statement said.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments