CCTV Reporter Visits | US Cluster Bombs Become Nightmare Shadows Over Afghan Villages

According to statistics, during the 20 year invasion of Afghanistan by the US military, more than 170000 Afghan people were killed, and nearly one-third of them became refugees. In addition, the US military has also extensively used cluster bombs in Afghanistan, causing serious disasters to the local population. According to data from the Cluster Munitions Alliance, in 2001 and 2002, the US military dropped over 1200 cluster bombs in Afghanistan, containing over 240000 pieces of bombs.

The Nightmare of Cluster Bombs: Shadows of Three Generations in Shatier Village

Shathir village in Herat province, Afghanistan was once attacked by a US cluster bomb. For over 20 years, the damage caused by cluster bombs has been like a shadow, haunting three generations of people in the village.

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Gulam is over 50 years old this year, and he has witnessed the tragedy of his deceased loved ones, which has been deeply engraved in his mind for over 20 years.

Survivor of a cluster bomb attack, Gulam: This place was unable to survive at the time and was filled with a terrifying atmosphere overnight. We buried 11 bodies by hand. When I opened my eyes, their limbs were all around me. I walked through my limbs, took my living family onto the car, and escorted them away. Then we started cleaning up the bodies of the victims at six or seven o'clock in the evening. We will take the body and bury it quickly. We didn't clean them because their bodies were in a state of disrepair.

Gulam remembers clearly that the cluster bomb released chemicals, and he had difficulty breathing during the rescue and burial of his loved ones.

Survivor of cluster bomb attack, Gulam: The bomb exploded when it reached the ground. When it landed here, it exploded in this place. Yes, it's right here. This place has already been destroyed. The bomb fragments exploded into the wall like this, you can see them. At that time, it felt spicy, like dried chili peppers, very spicy. We cough as soon as we breathe, and we cough and sneeze like this. When we sneeze, our eyes shed tears, and our faces are blackened by the smoke. The bomb dropped did not harm me, but my hands, face, and whole body were blackened. For an hour, I had difficulty breathing. After the smoke disappeared, I could breathe, but I still kept coughing.

At that time, Gulam, who was only in his thirties, was young and strong, and formed a four person rescue team with three other villagers. But in the following months, three others died of cancer one after another. Gulam believes that this is caused by the chemical substances released during the explosion of cluster bombs.

Survivor of the cluster bomb attack, Gulam: They were not cured because it was a chemical poison that damaged their stomach, kidneys, and other parts of their body. They are dead. At that time, we lived in this place.

As the only surviving member of the search and rescue team, Gulam was under immense psychological pressure, while his neighbor, 70 year old Kamal, and his grandson Mewes were directly hit by sub bombs released from cluster bombs.

Cluster Bomb Survivor Kamal: The doctor took out two shrapnel fragments from my feet, two from my head, and one from my kidney. The size of the shrapnel is not very large, about a little larger than rice grains, like twisted metal.

Survivor of a cluster bomb attack, Mewes: This side is very painful. If the weather is too cold or too hot, you will feel pain. Also, I can't see with this eye. I underwent two surgeries, but it was of no use. At that time, I was just a child, and we were all civilians. Because the United States dropped a bomb, my eyes were injured, and my father passed away. There were many difficulties, and my studies were also very difficult, which caused us many problems.

CCTV reporter Li Shuangxi: When we were filming in Shatier Village, many local villagers knew that we were reporting on the situation related to cluster bombs and spontaneously gathered around to provide us with clues. Some of them have lost their loved ones, while others have left incurable physical or mental harm. It can be said that an irresponsible attack destroyed the lives of several generations, and such examples are not uncommon in Afghanistan. During the war in Afghanistan launched by the United States, the most basic right to life of the local people was difficult to guarantee.

Psychiatrists: The psychological impact of war on Afghan people

Afghan psychiatrists say that the war has created a psychological shadow for a large number of Afghan people, especially weapons like cluster bombs, which can cause almost 100% distress to witnesses.

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Afghan psychiatrist Behruz: Bombing and war definitely have an impact on mental health. They are mentally tormented, feeling frustrated and anxious, and children will experience pain. Some families have only one person left, he is still alive, and I know him. No one in his family is alive, he is the only one. Who has helped him? What does he have? He lost everything. His house was destroyed and now there is nothing left. At that time, that person was still a child and didn't know what had happened to him.

Dr. Behruz said that many of his patients suffered severe psychological trauma after being attacked by cluster bombs.

Afghan psychiatrist Behruz: I have several patients who have experienced cluster bombs, not just one person, but several people. I have two patients who are both girls, they have become stuttering and almost mute. They have difficulty speaking, they can say three words but cannot continue. I have encountered all of these situations during treatment.