US-led forces have killed at least seven Afghan civilians in an air strike in the restive southern province of Helmand, witnesses say.

Six others, including three children, were also wounded in the raid in NAWA district on Monday, a Press TV correspondent reported.

The recent civilian killing comes just a day after Afghan Parliament warned US over the growing civilian casualties, urging US-led forces to avoid military operations in residential areas.

Analysts say the civilian casualties at the hands of US-led troops have deteriorated relations between Kabul and Western powers, which have nearly 65,000 troops in the war-torn country.

According to the United Nations, more than 2,000 Afghan civilians were killed throughout 2008. The NATO claims, however, that only 200 civilians were killed by foreign troops last year.

HE/DT