A U.S. drone strike at Kabul on a vehicle on August 29, which previously reported of ISIS K target, new details of investigation reveals that it was an error strike, and all the victims were innocent civilians.
Today in press briefing, the top General of U.S. Central Command Gen. Frank McKenzie told to media that “Having thoroughly reviewed the findings of the investigation and the supporting analysis by inner agency partners, I am now convinced that as many as 10 civilians including up to seven children we tragically killed in that strike”.
He further stated that “Moreover, we now assess that it is unlikely that the vehicle and those who died were associated with ISIS-K or were a direct threat to U.S. forces. I offer my profound condolences to the family and friends of those who were killed. This strike was taken in the earnest belief that it would prevent an imminent threat to our forces and the evacuees at the airport. But it was a mistake and I offer my sincere apology. As the combatant commander, I am fully responsible for this strike and its tragic outcome. While I have begun with the most important findings of our investigation, I do want to provide the background leading up to the strike and include an explanation as to why we felt reasonably certain that this was a legitimate strike on in imminent ISIS-K threat with no indication that the strike would result in civilian casualties as we asserted in our initial statements”.
He added more that, “The strike on 29 August must be considered in the context of the situation on the ground, in Kabul at Hamid Karzai International Airport following the ISIS-K attack that resulted it the deaths of 13 soldiers, sailors and Marines and more than 100 civilians at Abbey Gate on 26 August. And also with the substantial body of intelligence indicating the imminence of another attack”.
