WASHINGTON — The top commander of U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan says the U.S. airstrike that killed 22 at a medical clinic in the city of Kunduz over the weekend was requested by Afghan forces.
Gen. John F. Campbell, speaking at the Pentagon, said he was correcting an initial U.S. statement that said the airstrike was meant to defend U.S. forces under fire.
In the incident early Saturday, Campbell said Afghan forces advised U.S. special operations forces on the ground that they needed U.S. air support, and the airstrike ensued. He said several civilians were "accidentally struck."
He declined to provide more details, saying a military investigation is ongoing. He said he learned from the investigator that it was the Afghans, not the Americans, who requested the airstrike.
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