UN calls Afghan hospital bombing inexcusable, possibly even “criminal”

Kabul: The U.N. human rights chief is calling the airstrike that hit a clinic in Kunduz “tragic, inexcusable, and possibly even criminal.” Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein issued the statement Saturday and urged a swift and transparent investigation of the “deeply shocking event.” “International and Afghan military planners have an obligation to respect and protect civilians at all times, and medical facilities and personnel are the object of a special protection,” Zeid’s statement says. “These obligations apply no matter whose air force is involved, and irrespective of the location.” [caption id=“attachment_2454060” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] The Kunduz hospital’s trauma wing in flames/ AP[/caption] He adds, “if established as deliberate in a court of law, an airstrike on a hospital may amount to a war crime.” The commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan says the military is opening an investigation into the deadly bombing. U.S. forces conducted an airstrike “in the vicinity” of the hospital around 2:15 a.m. local time, targeting insurgents who were firing upon U.S. service members “advising and assisting” Afghan security forces, the statement said The charity reports that the hospital was repeatedly bombed at approximately 15-minute intervals between 2:08 a.m. and 3:15 a.m. Saturday morning. “We continue to advise and assist our Afghan partners as they clear the city of Kunduz and surrounding areas of insurgents. As always, we will take all reasonable steps to protect civilians from harm.” AP