Afghanistan, no US soldiers will be punished for the raid at Kabul airport

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December 13, 2021 No military personnel involved in US drone raid in Kabul in which 10 civilians, including seven children, died will be punished. The New York Times reports it citing a senior Pentagon official.

The Pentagon acknowledged in September that the raid prior to the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan had been a tragic mistake, after initially saying it was necessary to prevent an Islamic State attack on troops.

A subsequent high-level investigation into the incident found no violations of the law, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin then left the final word on any administrative actions, such as recalls or demotions, to two high-level commanders: the general Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., chief of the Army Central Command, and General Richard D. Clarke, chief of the Special Operations Command.

Both found no reason to punish any of the military involved in the incident, the Pentagon official said, and Austin welcomed their recommendations.