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Pentagon Knew U.S. Drone Strike in Kabul Missed Target, Hit Civilians Weeks Before Public Admission

HeadlineSep 30, 2021

Top military commanders were questioned by lawmakers again Wednesday on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. General Kenneth McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, said they were aware within just hours that the August 29 drone strike in Kabul had hit civilians, and knew a few days later that the target was a “mistake.” But it took the Pentagon weeks to admit this, after initially asserting the strike prevented an imminent threat by ISIS-K fighters. Investigations quickly revealed the victims were instead aid worker Zemari Ahmadi and his family members, including seven children. Zemari Ahmadi’s boss at the California-based nonprofit Nutrition and Education International has said the U.S. is still labeling the organization as an ISIS safe house, putting even more civilian lives at risk.

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