KABUL (SW): The NATO-led Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in Afghanistan has confirmed 33 civilians were killed and 27 wounded in a joint operation by the U.S. and Afghan forces last year in Kunduz.
A communiqué on Thursday said the U.S. Forces – Afghanistan completed its investigation into an allegation that civilian casualties were caused by U.S. and Afghan forces during a joint military operation in Boz Village, Kunduz, Nov. 2-3, 2016. The investigation determined, regretfully, that 33 civilians were killed and 27 wounded. It added, to defend themselves and Afghan forces, the U.S. forces returned fire in self-defence at Taliban who were using civilian houses as firing positions.
"Regardless of the circumstances, I deeply regret the loss of innocent lives," said Gen. John Nicholson, commander of U.S. Forces – Afghanistan. “On this occasion the Taliban chose to hide amongst civilians and then attacked Afghan and U.S. forces. I wish to assure President Ghani and the people of Afghanistan that we will take all possible measures to protect Afghan civilians. We will continue to assist the Afghan security forces in their efforts to defend their country”, he added.
This mission was part of the clean-up operation against the Taliban who briefly overrun the Kunduz City back then.
According to the statement, the investigation concluded that U.S. air assets used the minimum amount of force required to neutralize the various threats from the civilian buildings and protect friendly forces. In addition, a Taliban ammunition cache was struck and exploded which also destroyed multiple civilian buildings and may also have killed civilians.
As an indication of the ferocity of the fire faced by friendly forces from the Taliban-occupied houses, two U.S. soldiers and three Afghan Army Commandos were killed. In addition, four U.S. soldiers and 11 commandos were wounded. The investigation concluded that approximately 26 Taliban, including three leaders, were also killed, along with approximately 26 wounded.
ENDS
