US night raids deal consolidates Afghan sovereignty

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has lauded an agreement with the United States over notorious night raids by foreign forces, saying the deal consolidates Afghan sovereignty. The deal signed on Sunday assigns the newly-formed Afghan Special Operations Unit to take the lead in searches of houses and private compounds during night operations. "In accordance with this agreement we assure people that not only the foreigners will not enter people's houses, but also the Afghan government will not harm anyone and that human rights will not be violated," Karzai said on Monday, AFP reported. He added that government agencies should now be able to prove that the Afghan government is responsible for security of Afghans "so that people after years of suffering finally feel safe in their homes.” Karzai told a cabinet meeting in Kabul that "Afghan sovereignty was consolidated (by the agreement) and the Afghan government has taken the lead.” The deal requires that all special operations be reviewed and approved by a panel consisting of the Afghan military, government, and intelligence services, officials said. In December, the Afghan government said it would sign a strategic deal with the Western military alliance of NATO on the condition that Afghan forces have oversight of the operations. The nighttime operations by the US-led forces have resulted in many civilian casualties and increasing tension between Washington and Kabul.