Photographs allegedly showing U.S. soldiers posing with the remains of suicide bombers is drawing condemnation from the top NATO military commander in Afghanistan.
The photos from 2010 and obtained by the Los Angeles Times appear to show members of the United States army posing with the bodies of insurgents who killed themselves in suicide attacks. The Times says it will publish the photographs on its website Wednesday.
In a statement issued before the photos were released, the commander of the International Security Assistance Force, U.S. General John Allen, called the actions “entirely inconsistent” with ISAF and U.S. Army policies. He also said the actions “undermine the daily sacrifices of thousands of ISAF troops” and promised a thorough investigation.
The U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan also condemned the photos.
In a statement, Ryan Crocker called the actions in the photographs “morally repugnant,” saying they dishonor the sacrifices of hundreds of thousands of American soldiers and civilians in Afghanistan.