The following BBC article only touches the surface of a very deep sore!

US 'admits Afghan raid mistakes'

Rubble of destroyed village in Farah province

Afghan and US officials differ over how many civilians died

A US military inquiry has uncovered serious mistakes made when US forces bombed suspected Taliban positions in Afghanistan in May, US officials say.

Dozens of civilians were killed in the air strikes in western Farah province.

Some of the raids would have been called off, had the rules of engagement been followed strictly, unnamed officials were quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the general named as the next US commander in Afghanistan has said civilian deaths must be reduced.

Gen Stanley McChrystal said civilian casualties caused by US and Nato-led forces could alienate the Afghan people.

Civilian casualties are causing growing public outrage in Afghanistan and friction between the US and Afghan governments.

The publication of the US military report is expected later this week.

But some of the details have been leaked and the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington says this is the closest the Pentagon has come to admitting that mistakes were made when US military planes carried out attacks last month.