Pentagon Says Afghans Ask for Airstrikes in Kunduz that Kills 22 Civilians

“The Afghans advised that they were taking fire”, Gen. John Campbell told reporters at the Pentagon, in a hastily called press conference to correct the record. US forces on the ground then called for air support, senior officials said.

However, the global Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says that “cases in which protected persons are killed as a result of acts of war – for example, the bombardment of a civilian hospital – are more hard to class as [willful] killing: the question is left open”.

“The Department of Defence has launched a full investigation, and we will await the results of that inquiry before making a definitive judgement as to the circumstances of this tragedy”, Obama saidt.

“Under the clear presumption that a war crime has been committed, a transparent investigation must be conducted by an independent worldwide body”, MSF added. “We’ll hold those responsible accountable, and we’ll take steps to ensure mistakes are not repeated”.

MSF said later that day it was disgusted by the claims, and such statements amounted to an admission that global law had been violated, because the hospital had clearly been deliberately targeted. Bombs struck the main hospital building housing the intensive care unit and emergency rooms – surrounding buildings were unharmed.

Charity organisation, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), has expressed disappointment at the statement released by the Afghan Government justifying the air strike on its hospital in Kunduz. While North Atlantic Treaty Organisation maintains a significant military role in Afghanistan, airstrikes are conducted by USA forces. The bombardments continued even after USA and Afghan military officials were notified the hospital was being attacked, the charity said.

US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces ended their combat mission in Afghanistan last December, though a 13,000-strong force remains for training and counter-terrorism operations.

Speaking with WATC host Michel Martin, Cone reiterated Stokes’ description of the attack as “a war crime”. “We cannot accept that this horrific loss of life will simply be dismissed as “collateral damage”, said MSF president Meinie Nicolai”.

MSF said 12 staffers and 10 patients were killed in the attack. “The US hit a huge hospital full of wounded patients and MSF staff”. MSF demands a full and transparent account from the coalition regarding its aerial bombing activities over Kunduz on Saturday morning.

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in Afghanistan said it had directed a multi-national investigation and anticipated a report in the coming days, in addition to the formal United States military investigation.

Afghan commandos, considered a few of the best such forces in the region, were heavily engaged in fighting in Kunduz since the Taliban seized control of the city a week ago.