Gen. John Campbell, the top US commander in Afghanistan, said Tuesday the hospital in Kunduz run by Doctors Without Borders, also known by the French name Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), was bombed by US forces.
"We have now learned that on October 3rd, Afghan forces […] advised that they were taking fire from enemy positions and asked for air support from U.S. forces. An airstrike was then called to eliminate the Taliban threat and several civilians were accidentally struck," he said during a briefing in the Pentagon.
Re: Independent investigation into 3 Oct airstrike in #Kunduz, I said yesterday if there are other investigations required, we'll comply.
— Gen John F. Campbell (@COM_RS_Afghan) 6 октября 2015
The general emphasized that the decision to bomb the hospital was made by the US forces.
"Even though the Afghans request(ed) that support, it still has to go through a rigorous U.S. procedure" before firing could begin, he said.
#Kunduz attack cannot be brushed aside as mere mistake or inevitable consequence of war #independentinvestigation http://t.co/EScesxu9K8
— Doctors w/o Borders (@MSF_USA) 6 октября 2015
"I've ordered a thorough investigation into this tragic incident," he went on to say. "If errors were committed we'll acknowledge them, we'll hold those responsible accountable and we will take steps to ensure mistakes are not repeated," Gen. Campbell said.
#Kunduz #KunduzAttack protesting General Campbell in Senate pic.twitter.com/7PD3KGDVF9
— CODEPINK (@codepink) 6 октября 2015
On September 28, Taliban militants seized the northern Afghan city of Kunduz, knocking government forces out of the city. After the reinforcements arrived, the Afghan army, backed by US airstrikes, began an offensive operation to regain control of the city.
