Afghan lawmaker says airstrikes kill 21 civilians

KABUL, Afghanistan — Airstrikes in the southern Helmand province have killed 21 civilians, including women and children, an Afghan lawmaker said.

Thirteen civilians were killed in one strike and eight in another, Mohammad Hashim Alkozai, a senator from Helmand, said Sunday. Both airstrikes were carried out late Friday in the Sangin district, where heavy fighting is underway between NATO-backed Afghan forces and the Taliban.

At least five other people were wounded in the airstrikes, Alkozai said.

Insurgents fired on Afghan forces from a civilian area, said Omer Zwak, the provincial governor’s spokesman. He confirmed that airstrikes had killed civilians but could not provide further information. He says an investigation has been launched.