Many innocent civilians were killed and wounded in recent US strikes. (Reuters)

KANDAHAR – More than 3,000 civilians have fled their homes in southern Afghanistan over US assaults and Taliban attacks, the International Organization of Migration (IOM) said on Thursday, May 25.

"They are scared, they are terrified," Nasim Karim, IOM Kandahar program officer, told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

He said inhabitants of four to five villages in Panjwayi district, 35 kilometers (22 miles) west of Kandahar, were caught in the crossfire of heavy battles between the US-led forces and Taliban.

"If they don't support the Taliban, they are threatened. If they do, then from the other side they are being bombed and shot at," said the IOM official.

"They have no choice."

US-led forces have launched a series of attacks in Panjwayi district against what they describe as Taliban followers.

The attacks have caused the Afghan villagers in the area to flee their homes, Karim said.

Most have taken refuge in the main southern city of Kandahar, some arriving destitute and barefoot with their families and a few belongings on trucks, cars and tractors, he added.

About 25 to 30 families at a camp for internally displaced people in the region had also packed up and moved into the city, noted Karim.

More than four hundred people were killed in attacks across Afghanistan since Wednesday, May 17.

The US-led forces describe most of the fatalities as Afghan fighters and followers, a claim usually challenged by Afghans.

Escapees

An Afghan man from Panjwayi said he fled after US strikes that started Sunday and lasted into Monday.

"I escaped. I brought my children and women to the city," said the man, identifying himself as Abdullah Khan.

"There are still Taliban in the village so there might be more bombardments."

Up to 76 people, many believed to be civilians, were killed on Monday, May 22, in American strikes on the village.

Residents say the US offensive killed many civilians, including children, contradicting official accounts that only 16 civilians were killed.

"We're poor people," another displaced man, Haji Baqi, told AFP.

"We can't stop the Taliban taking cover in our home. If we try to stop them, they'll kill us. If we don't, the Americans will kill us," he said.

As the fighting continues, more people were expected to flee.

"Since the fall of the Taliban, people have been coming back into the country," the IOM's Karim said.

"But now people are moving out because of insecurity."

Afghan President Hamid Karzai visited southern Kandahar province Thursday to visit children wounded in the US strikes.

"I swear to God, I'll bring security to you," he told a gathering of 150 elders in the province.

"Be relaxed and don't worry. I am working on it. I am in talks with the international community, with Islamic countries, with big countries," he said.

The United States has 23,000 troops in Afghanistan, the highest number since it invaded the country to oust the Taliban regime in late 2001.

NATO is expanding its force from 9,000 to 16,000, in preparation for taking over security responsibilities in the south from US-led forces.