US to compensate relatives of victims targeted by wrongful drone strike in Afghanistan
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The American government has offered both condolences and compensation for the families of victims who were mistakenly killed in a drone strike during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. 10 people, including 7 children were killed in the strike that was supposedly targeting ISIS operating sites.
The victims included Dr. Ezmerai Ahmadi who was working with a charity group in Afghanistan before his car was tracked and bombed by the US army. US intelligence had mistakenly identified him as a terrorist. The offer to pay these people was made Thursday in a meeting between Colin Kahl, the under secretary of defense for policy, and Steven Kwon, the founder and president of an aid group active in Afghanistan called Nutrition and Education International which employed Dr.Ahmadi, the Pentagon said in a statement.
The attack on Dr.Ahmadi came just three days after an suicide bombing at Kabul airport that was claimed by ISIS operatives of the Islamic State of Khoranistan (ISIS-K) outfit in Afghanistan. 13 US military operatives were killed along with dozens of others. Dr.Ahmadi's car was identified as one belonging to the terrorists that had planned the attack.
Mr. Ezmarai Ahmadi and others who were killed were innocent victims who bore no blame and were not affiliated with ISIS-K or threats to US forces, said a statement attributed to Defense Department spokesman John Kirby. Although the US has acknowledged its mistake, victims of the deceased have demanded not just compensation but a face to face apology.