Doctors Without Borders “collateral damage” in US airstrikes in Afghanistan
October 3, 2015, 6:24 am

Afghanistan military forces, backed by US aerial bombardment, have for three days fought to recapture the strategic city [Xinhua]

US airstrikes have reportedly accidentally killed nineteen people, including 12 staff from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in the northern Afghan city of Kunduz.

The international medical charity also known as Doctors Without Borders said 37 people were wounded after the explosion.

“At 2:10 AM local time on Saturday October 3, the Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières’ (MSF) Trauma center in Kunduz was hit several times during sustained bombing and was very badly damaged,” said a statement from MSF.

“Twelve staff members and at least seven patients, including three children, were killed; 37 people were injured. This attack constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law.”

NATO conceded US forces may have been behind the attack.

Brian Tribus, a spokesman of the US Army, confirmed that US forces conducted an airstrike on Kunduz at 2:15 a.m.

Tibus said the strike “may have resulted in collateral damage to a nearby medical facility” and that the incident was under investigation.

“We are deeply shocked by the attack, the killing of our staff and patients and the heavy toll it has inflicted on healthcare in Kunduz,” says Bart Janssens, MSF Director of Operations.

Since fighting broke out on Monday, MSF has treated 394 wounded, the organization said.

“When the aerial attack occurred this morning we had 105 patients and their caretakers in the hospital and over 80 MSF international and national staff present,” the statement added.

The Taliban have launched a series of attacks throughout Afghanistan even as they hunker down to defend pockets of the northern city of Kunduz against the government’s counteroffensive.

Afghanistan military forces, backed by US aerial bombardment, have for three days fought to recapture the strategic city.

The Taliban’s capture of Kunduz is considered the most significant setback for the government in Kabul and its international allies since the Islamist group was routed in 2001.

TBP and Agencies