The top commander of US and coalition forces in Afghanistan, General John F. Campbell, said that Afghan forces told US forces on the ground that they needed air support.
So US forces proceeded with the strike, which led to several civilians being “accidentally struck,” he said.
Campbell said he was correcting an initial US statement that said the airstrike was called to defend US forces under fire. He declined to provide more details, saying a military investigation is ongoing.
“We have now learned that on Oct. 3, Afghan forces advised that they were taking fire from enemy positions and asked for air support from U.S. forces,” Campbell said.
‘Patients were burning in their beds’: Witnesses recall horrific #Kunduz hospital airstrike http://t.co/yVkEnpjR18 pic.twitter.com/qsczSoEXNy
— RT (@RT_com) October 4, 2015
“An airstrike was then called to eliminate the Taliban threat and several civilians were accidentally struck. This is different from the initial reports which indicated that U.S. forces were threatened and that the airstrike was called on their behalf.”
READ MORE: MSF demands independent probe into hospital airstrike in Afghanistan
Campbell said US forces’ errors would be “acknowledged,” but it was not as yet clear whether the strike on the hospital was the only mistake. He gave no more details, according to AP, referring to the ongoing military investigation.
“As you know the United States military takes extraordinary steps to avoid harm to civilians. However, the Taliban have chosen to fight from within a heavily urbanized area, purposely placing civilians in harm’s way. We will continue to take all necessary steps to avoid future civilian casualties,” Campbell said. Read full on RT
