19 killed in bombing of Afghan hospital
U.S. airstrike is suspected as Taliban is reported to have used site as a base
At least 19 people were killed — 12 Doctors Without Borders staff members and seven patients — and 37 others wounded after a suspected U.S. airstrike early Saturday at the organization’s hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan.
The organization said the hospital was hit several times during “sustained bombing” starting at 2:10 a.m. Saturday and continuing in 15-minute intervals for more than an hour. Its president called it a “grave violation of international humanitarian law,” and the United Nations’ top human rights official said it may prove to be a war crime.
Three of the dead were children, Doctors Without Borders said. Of the wounded, 19 are staff members, and 18 are patients or caregivers.
The office of Gen. John Campbell, commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, said the strike was conducted against insurgents firing on U.S. person- nel, who have been advising and assisting Afghan forces in their effort to clear the area of insurgents.
“While we work to thoroughly examine the incident and determine what happened, my thoughts and prayers are with those affected,” Campbell said. “As always, we will take all reasonable steps to protect civilians from harm.”
Afghanistan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani’s office said he and Campbell agreed to launch a joint investigation.
The incident apparently occurred when an Air Force AC-130 attacked Taliban positions that were firing on U.S. Special Operations forces embedded with Afghan commandos, a senior defense official said. Another official said it was not clear whether the hospital was struck inadvertently or Taliban fighters were using it as a base. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter called it a “tragic incident.” The Taliban took control of Kunduz, Afghanistan’s sixth-largest city, on Monday, and U.S. forces were helping to take it back.
Earlier, Army spokesman Col. Brian Tribus confirmed U.S. forces had conducted an airstrike in Kunduz “against individuals threatening the force.” He said the strike “may have resulted in collateral damage to a nearby medical facility.”
“This attack is abhorrent and a grave violation of international humanitarian law,” said Meinie Nicolai, president of Doctors Without Borders. “We demand total transparency.”