DoD Disciplined 16 for Deadly Attack on MSF Operated Trauma Clinic in Kunduz

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DoD Disciplined 16 for Deadly Attack on MSF Operated Trauma Clinic in Kunduz

April 29th, 2016

Awake Goy

nsnbc : The Department of Defense (DoD) disciplined 16 for their roles in fatal air strikes against a trauma clinic in the Afghan city of Kunduz in October. None of these 16 nor superiors within their chain of command will face a court-martial or be held accountable in accordance with international law. The Pentagon will release a redacted 3,000 page report on Friday.

An MSF staff worker walking through the ruins of the Trauma Hospital in Kunduz, hours after the air rain on October 3, 2015.

The attack against the trauma clinic operated by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Kunduz happened on October 3, 2015. The United States’ Air Force killed 42 people in the attack, including 14 MSF staff members, 24 patients and 4 caretakers.

The trauma hospital was entirely destroyed and had to cease operating after the attack. MSF stressed that it had informed all belligerent parties, including the Afghan government and the U.S. Air Force about the exact coordinates of the hospital, and that MSF had implemented a strict “no weapons at the hospital policy”.

MSF also stressed that its staff made the U.S. Air Force aware of the fact that the hospital was under attack, but that the air raids continued. Later on, troops, carrying weapons, entered the hospital in a manner that was described as an attempt to intimidate the surviving staff.

3,000 Pages Redacted Whitewash and No Accountability?

The United States’ Department of Defense (DoD) disciplined 16 persons who were found to be at fault for the air strikes. Among those being disciplined were reportedly a two-star general, Air Force personnel and Special Forces personnel. None of the 16 will be court martialed. Considering that 42 at a clearly marked trauma clinic perished, the disciplinary measures are widely considered as a “slap over the wrist”.

One officer was suspended from his command and removed from Afghanistan, seven received letters of reprimand, six were sent to counseling and two were ordered to undergo retraining courses. It is noteworthy that non of these 16, nor any of their superiors will be tried, let alone held responsible in accordance with international law. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) described the air raids against the trauma clinic as a war crime.

Marking the sixth month after the deadly attack several of MSF’s staff recalled and issued statements about their ordeal. Australian intensive care doctor Kathleen Thomas recalled the air raid saying:

Our colleagues didn’t die peacefully like in the movies. They died painfully, slowly, some of them screaming out for help that never came, alone and terrified, knowing the extent of their own injuries and aware of their impending death. Countless other staff and patients were injured; limbs blown off, shrapnel rocketed through their bodies, burns, pressure wave injuries of the lungs, eyes, and ears. Many of these injures have left permanent disability. It was a scene of nightmarish horror that will be forever etched in my mind.

U.S. Army general John Campbell who is in charge of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan has forwarded the 3,000 page report about the deadly “fault” to the U.S. Central Command. In November Campbell described the fatal air raid as a “tragic, but avoidable accident caused primarily by human error”. nsnbc will follow up on the developing case as more information, including the (redacted) report and answers to our questions styled to the DoD and MSF become available.

CH/L – nsnbc 29.04.2016

Source Article from http://nsnbc.me/2016/04/29/dod-disciplined-16-for-deadly-attack-on-msf-operated-trauma-clinic-in-kunduz/