US strike on MSF hospital in Afghanistan was result of 'human error', says Pentagon

At least 30 people were killed in the attack and 37 injured


 In his appearance before the senators, Mr Campbell said he could not provide more details about what happened, including who may have failed to follow procedures for avoiding attacks on hospitals. He said he must await the outcome of multiple investigations.
 (AP)

The head of US forces in Afghanistan has said the deadly attack on medical facility in Kunduz was a “terrible incident” that was mainly caused by human error. He said a number of those involved in the operation failed to follow the rules of engagement and have been suspended while they awaited disciplinary action.

Gen John Campbell said the now notorious October attack on the northern Afghanistan facility operated by Medecins Sans Frontieres resulted in the death of 30 people and the injuring of at least 30 others. He said the human errors were exacerbated by a series of technical failures.

In a press conference broadcast from Afghanistan, Mr Campbell said the AC-130 gunship that attacked the facility believed it was a headquarters for the Taliban. The plane fired 211 shells at the compound over 29 minutes before commanders realised the mistake and ordered a halt.

Gen John Campbell said the attack was the result of human error (Twitter)

He said many of the plane’s instruments were not working which meant it could not receive emails or images. It was also not in the correct position, which meant its targeting equipment identified the hospital as the Taliban base.

“The crew remained fixated on the building,” he said.

He said those in the air relied on descriptions of the location relayed by troops on the ground, a mix of American and Afghan Special Forces.

The commander said the attack launched by the AC-130 gunship lasted 29 minutes. He said that 12 minutes into the operation, MSF telephoned the US military to say its clinic was under attack.

However, by the time that message was relayed to those in the air, the operation was over.

Mr Campbell spoke to make public the details of a 3,000-page internal investigation into the incident, which sparked global outcry and led MSF to accuse the US military of war crimes.

The general said the report had found a number of US troops involved in the operation did not follow the rules of engagement. It also found the military operation carried out that night, was not proportional to the threat the US soldiers confronted.

The US military has said it was working with MSF to rebuild the clinic.

“We made a terrible mistake. We will do everything to prevent this happening again,” said Gen Wilson Shoffer, a senior military spokesman.

The US military has said it was working with MSF to rebuild the clinic.

“We made a terrible mistake. We will do everything to prevent this happening again,” said Gen Wilson Shoffer, a senior military spokesman.

Doctors Without Borders said in its own report earlier this month that several doctors and nurses were killed immediately, and patients who could not move burned to death in the ensuing fire. Hospital staff members made 18 attempts to call or text US and Afghan authorities, the group said.

People fleeing the main building were cut down by gunfire that appeared to track their movements, while a patient trying to escape in a wheelchair was killed by shrapnel, the group’s report said.

President Barack Obama has apologised for the attack, one of the worst cases of civilian casualties in the 14-year history of the US war effort.