PRESS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES AFGHANISTAN Kabul, Afghanistan Phone: [phone]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 12, 2009

Release Number: 20091202-03

ANSF, Coalition forces meet with village leaders in Oruzgan Province

KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and Coalition Forces conducted meetings on Wednesday with village leaders about a recent civilian casualty in the Shaheed Hasas district of Oruzgan Province.

The combined forces met with local leaders in the village of Sekzi to speak with them about a little girl who was brought to a Coalition base with fatal wounds. According to initial reports she was wounded in the crossfire when insurgents attacked an ANSF and Coalition forces convoy on Tuesday. She was brought to the Coalition base for treatment but died of her wounds before she could be medically evacuated.

ANSF and Coalition forces were welcomed by the villagers, according to Coalition forces team Sergeant on the scene. The elders of the village acknowledged that had it not been for the insurgent attack on the combined force convoy the little girl would still be alive today.

The village elders also expressed an interest in working with ANSF to increase security in the area. ANSF and Coalition forces said they will continue to provide security and hold meetings with local leaders throughout the area.

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United States Forces Afghanistan's mission, in coordination with NATO's International Security Assistance Force, is to conduct operations to defeat terrorist networks and insurgents by developing effective governance and building the Afghan National Security Force. Effective security throughout the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan facilitates continued regional stability and increases economic development for the people of Afghanistan.

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