The New York Times and Washington Post reported Monday that the Department of Defense will not punish any personnel involved in the August drone strike that killed 10 Kabul civilians.
The Ahmadi family and their neighbors gathered around the incinerated husk of a vehicle that was hit by a US drone strike.
Los Angeles Times.
An unnamed military official told the Times and the Post that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin decided not to demote anyone tied to the strike.
The Times reported that Austin gave the choice to two military officials, Gen. Frank McKenzie from Central Command and Gen. Richard Clarke from Special Operations Command.
The Air Force Inspector General concluded last month that the strike didn't involve any legal violations, but the military's chain of command could still discipline some personnel.
The Pentagon did not confirm the news to Forbes, but Press Secretary John Kirby said in a statement that Austin has reviewed and continues to consider the recommendations made by Generals McKenzie and Clarke, and that they will not be afraid to make necessary changes to our processes and procedures to avoid future civilian casualties
The United States left Afghanistan two days before a U.S. drone killed 10 people in a car in the capital. Military officials initially said no civilians were killed and defended the strike as righteous, claiming it was designed to stop a local Islamic State group from attacking the airport for the second time in a week. The New York Times and Washington Post investigated and found that the driver of the car was transporting water jugs, not explosives. The Pentagon apologized for the strike in September. The Air Force inspector general blamed the attack on execution errors, confirmation bias and communication breakdowns, but insisted military personnel didn't break the law and genuinely believed they were stopping an imminent threat to U.S. forces. Military officials have argued that the airstrike was carried out under a unique time constraint.
It is a regrettable mistake. It is an honest mistake. Said told reporters last month that he understood the consequences, but that it was not criminal conduct.
Surprising fact.
A child was shown on a military video feed near the airstrike's target just two minutes before the missile was fired. He said the child's presence was not obvious.
The Pentagon Chief decided that no U.S. troops will be punished for the deadly strike in Afghanistan.
