For the first time the NATO airforce bombed the western district of Herat, right where the Italian contingent is located, and killed at least 136 people, all presumed Taliban militants. This bombing provoked violent protests. More protests against westerners also in the oriental part of the country, where several civilians have been killed during a US raid in a village near Jalalabad. Meanwhile in the South Nato launched a new offensive, the operation Silicon, in the effort to bring the strategic district of Sangin under control, although its liberation was announced earlier in April.

West. During the week-end the Nato blasted without intermission (only yesterday the bombing lasted 14 consecutive hours) the Zerkoh Valley, in the Shindand district of the Herat Province, killing at least 136 Talibans. But they might not have been Taliban terrorists after all, because this morning hundreds of people protested shouting “Death to America” and blaming the killing of many civilians. General Gul Agha, the district police chief, spoke of a great number of dead civilians and protested against US forces who apparently informed the Afghan authorities and the Isaf commander once things done.

East. Same protest, same rage, same slogans yesterday in Jalalabad, where in the morning at least 6 civilians, including women and children, have been killed by the US troops. According to the American forces they launched an attack because a Taliban suicide bombers’ cell was hiding in the village. “We are deeply sorry for the loss of civilian lives” US Major General Chris Belcher declared “It’s unfortunate that militants endanger the life of others hiding among their families.” This happened in the same area where US marines opened a raging fire on many civilians in March, after their convoy was attacked by a suicide bomber.

South. In the Helmand province, where since March 6^th the Operation Achille has already killed 400 of presumed Taliban terrorists, Nato launched a new big offensive to bring back under control the Sangin Valley. In April the ISAF Commander said that the government control was restored in Sangin but obviously it wasn’t true yet. The Silicon Operation launched this morning sees 1000 British soldiers, 600 Americans and 1000 Afghan forces engaged in winning back the control of this district that is strategic for the lush poppy fields and above all for the large powerhouse that provides electricity in the Southern region. The waterwheel of the Kajaki dam that generates the electric power is still under Taliban control.