WASHINGTON - U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan on Aug. 22 killed 33 civilians, far more than the military had acknowledged before, the commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East said today.

Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey released a statement summarizing the findings of a Central Command investigation and asserting that despite the civilian deaths, U.S. forces involved in the attack in western Herat province had acted based on credible intelligence, in self-defense and in line with rules of engagement.