Claire Dawson
On October 3, 2015, a US military plane bombed the Kunduz Trauma Centre in Afghanistan, killing 42 people and injuring over 30. The hospital was run by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, and was the only active medical facility in the area. MSF condemned the incident as a deliberate breach of international humanitarian law and a war crime, while the US military claimed it was a mistake and that the intended target was an insurgent-controlled site. The incident sparked debates about potential war crimes and led to calls for an independent investigation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the incident | 3 October 2015 |
| Location | Kunduz, Afghanistan |
| Hospital | Trauma Centre operated by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) or Doctors Without Borders |
| Number of deaths | 42 |
| Number of injuries | 229 |
| Reason for the attack | To defend US forces on the ground and to target Taliban fighters |
| Reason for the mistake | Human error, equipment failure, technical errors, and process errors |
| US response | The US military has made condolence payments and will spend $5.7 million to rebuild the hospital |
| Investigation | NATO appointed three US military officers from outside the chain of command to handle the investigation |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The US claimed the bombing was accidental
On 3 October 2015, a United States Air Force gunship attacked the Kunduz Trauma Centre in Afghanistan, killing 42 people and injuring 229 others. The hospital was operated by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, and was the only active medical facility in the area.
The US military initially said the airstrike was carried out to defend US forces on the ground. Later, the US commander in Afghanistan, General John F. Campbell, said the airstrike was requested by Afghan forces who had come under Taliban fire. Finally, Campbell said the airstrike was a US decision, made in the US chain of command and not at the request of Afghan forces.
MSF condemned the incident, calling it a deliberate breach of international humanitarian law and a war crime. They stated that all warring parties had been notified about the hospital and its operations well in advance. In response to the attack, MSF called for an "independent and impartial" investigation, stating that it did not matter whether the bombing was "intentional" or not.
The US claimed that the bombing was accidental, due to human and technical errors. An investigation by the US military found that the personnel involved did not know they were striking a medical facility, believing it to be an insurgent-controlled site. The investigation also found that the crew was tired from days of fighting and took off earlier than planned without the correct preparatory information. The US military concluded that no war crimes were committed and that the incident did not constitute intentional targeting of civilians or protected objects.
Despite the US claims of accidental bombing, there is evidence that Afghan forces provided a description that matched the hospital as a target, leading to US forces unintentionally striking the hospital. MSF called the incident an "uncontrolled operation in a crowded area", raising questions of recklessness and negligence. The International Criminal Tribunal prosecutor, M. Cherif Bassiouni, suggested that the attack could still be prosecuted as a war crime if it represented gross negligence, even if Taliban forces were using the hospital as a human shield.
The Mystery of Princess Diana's Tragic Death
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Afghan troops may have manipulated the US
On 3 October 2015, a United States Air Force gunship attacked the Kunduz Trauma Centre in Afghanistan, killing 42 people and injuring over 30 others. The hospital was operated by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders. In the aftermath of the attack, the International President of MSF, Dr Joanne Liu, condemned the bombing and demanded an independent investigation.
There are conflicting accounts of the motivations behind the airstrike. Initially, the United States military stated that the airstrike was carried out to defend U.S. forces on the ground. General John F. Campbell, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, later asserted that the airstrike was a U.S. decision made within the U.S. chain of command and not at the request of Afghan forces. However, he also stated that the airstrike was requested by Afghan forces who were under Taliban fire.
Matthieu Aikins of the Nation Institute and PBS News raised questions about the role of Afghan troops in the incident. They suggested that Afghan forces may have manipulated the U.S. by providing false information that the hospital was a Taliban stronghold or a target. Aikins and his colleagues, Gary Solis and Jeffrey Addicott, pointed to evidence suggesting that Afghan forces intentionally provided an exact description that matched the hospital as the target, leading U.S. forces to unintentionally strike the hospital. This allegation is supported by the fact that the U.S. gunship's navigation system had failed, and it relied on visual descriptions provided by Afghan forces on the ground.
Furthermore, there was long-standing tension and mistrust between MSF and the Afghan government. Afghan forces resented MSF's neutral stance and their treatment of individuals that the Afghan government viewed as enemies. Some Afghan officials even accused MSF of supporting the Taliban and claimed that Taliban fighters were using the hospital as a human shield. However, MSF strongly denied these allegations, stating that no Taliban fighters were present in the compound.
While an Army inquiry concluded that the attack was accidental, the possibility of Afghan troops manipulating U.S. forces has not been definitively confirmed or refuted. The incident highlights the complex dynamics and challenges faced by humanitarian organisations operating in conflict zones.
Hospital Cups: How Many Ounces Do They Hold?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The US military's internal investigation
On the 3rd of October 2015, a United States Air Force gunship attacked the Kunduz Trauma Centre operated by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, in Afghanistan. The attack killed 42 people and injured 229 others.
General Votel described a crew that was tired from days of fighting, taking off earlier than planned without the correct preparatory information. The investigation also revealed that there was confusion due to a failure in the navigation system, which led to the US military relying on descriptions provided by Afghan forces that matched the hospital as the target.
The US military has made 170 condolence payments and committed to spending $5.7 million to rebuild the hospital. Disciplinary actions were taken against those involved, including suspension from command and letters of reprimand, which could have significant repercussions on their military careers.
However, MSF and other organizations have continued to call for an independent and impartial investigation, arguing that the US military's operation in a densely populated urban area failed to follow the basic laws of war. They emphasize that the attack on a medical facility, regardless of intent, constitutes a grave breach of international humanitarian law.
Wellness Exams: What to Expect at the Hospital
You may want to see also
The hospital was the only active medical facility in the area
The Kunduz hospital airstrike refers to an incident on 3 October 2015 when a United States Air Force gunship attacked the Kunduz Trauma Centre, operated by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), in the city of Kunduz, Afghanistan. The attack killed 42 people and injured 229, according to MSF, who were running the hospital. Before the bombing, the MSF hospital was the only active medical facility in the area. It was the only trauma centre in northeastern Afghanistan, treating over 22,000 patients in 2014 and performing more than 5,900 surgeries.
The US military initially stated that the airstrike was carried out to defend US forces on the ground. However, General John F. Campbell, the US commander in Afghanistan, later said that the airstrike was requested by Afghan forces under Taliban fire. He eventually concluded that the decision to strike was made within the US chain of command and not at the request of Afghan forces.
MSF has strongly condemned the bombing, calling for an independent investigation and describing it as a deliberate breach of international humanitarian law and a war crime. They stated that all warring parties had been notified of the hospital and its operations well in advance. In the aftermath of the attack, MSF staff in Afghanistan and New York made multiple attempts to contact Afghan military, ICRC, UN, and US military personnel to stop the strikes.
The US military has denied committing war crimes, with General Joseph Votel stating that the investigation found the personnel involved did not know they were striking a medical facility. Votel characterised the incident as a "tragic strike" due to human and technical errors. Disciplinary actions were taken against those involved, including suspension from command and letters of reprimand. However, no criminal charges were filed.
The bombing of the hospital in Kunduz had severe repercussions, leaving those in the area without access to critical medical care. The loss of the only active medical facility in the region likely exacerbated the challenges of providing healthcare in a conflict zone. The incident also raised concerns about the conduct of military operations in densely populated urban areas and the responsibility of armed groups to uphold international humanitarian law.
Dublin's Hospitals: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
Doctors Without Borders' response
On 3 October 2015, a United States Air Force gunship attacked the Kunduz Trauma Centre operated by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders, in the city of Kunduz, Afghanistan. The attack killed 42 people, including patients, caretakers, and MSF staff members, and injured over 30.
MSF strongly condemned the bombing, calling it a "deliberate breach of international humanitarian law" and a "war crime". They demanded an independent investigation into the attack and stated that all warring parties had been notified about the hospital and its operations well in advance. MSF also reported that American and Afghan forces forcibly entered the hospital after the attack, damaging property and destroying potential evidence.
In a statement, Christopher Stokes, General Director of MSF Belgium, expressed disgust at the justification provided by some Afghan government authorities for the attack:
> "MSF is disgusted by the recent statements coming from some Afghanistan government authorities justifying the attack on its hospital in Kunduz. These statements imply that Afghan and U.S. forces working together decided to raze to the ground a fully functioning hospital – with more than 180 staff and patients inside – because they claim that members of the Taliban were present. This amounts to an admission of a war crime."
MSF also highlighted the impact of the attack on the region, noting that the Kunduz hospital was the only active medical facility in the area and the only trauma centre in northeastern Afghanistan. In 2014 alone, the hospital treated over 22,000 patients and performed more than 5,900 surgeries.
In the years following the attack, MSF continued its work in Kunduz, reopening a small medical clinic in 2017 and a new trauma centre in 2021 to meet the urgent needs of the community.
Doctors Running in Hospitals: Fact or Fiction?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
On 3 October 2015, a United States Air Force gunship attacked the Kunduz Trauma Centre operated by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Afghanistan. 42 people were killed and over 30 were injured.
The US military initially said the airstrike was carried out to defend US forces on the ground. Later, the US commander in Afghanistan, General John F. Campbell, said the strike was requested by Afghan forces who had come under Taliban fire. Finally, Campbell said the strike was a US decision, made in the US chain of command and not requested by Afghan forces.
The attack made the hospital unusable and all critical patients were referred elsewhere. Before the bombing, the MSF's hospital was the only active medical facility in the area. MSF demanded an independent investigation into the attack.
The US military has concluded that no war crimes were committed by those involved in the bombing. The Pentagon described the incident as a tragic strike due to human and technical errors. 16 US service personnel faced disciplinary charges, but no criminal charges were filed.
The International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission intended to conduct an independent investigation into the attacks once consent from US and Afghan forces was given. Doctors Without Borders called the incident a deliberate breach of international humanitarian law and a war crime.
