When a mistake is deliberate.
October 6, 2015 5:48 PM Subscribe
On Saturday, at 2:08 A.M. local time, an American AC-130 began to bomb a hospital run by Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), in Kunduz, Afghanistan.
According to accounts from doctors and nurses, the air strike continued for more than an hour, in fifteen-minute waves. The Intercept considers this was probably a War Crime; the covering up of which is not new in Afghanistan.
The US alters the story for fourth time in four days. The Kunduz hospital bombing is the latest in a long line of attacks on MSF staff.
According to accounts from doctors and nurses, the air strike continued for more than an hour, in fifteen-minute waves. The Intercept considers this was probably a War Crime; the covering up of which is not new in Afghanistan.
The US alters the story for fourth time in four days. The Kunduz hospital bombing is the latest in a long line of attacks on MSF staff.
This post was deleted for the following reason: This needs to be framed much less editorially to work here, sorry. -- restless_nomad
I figured there would be a coordinated push by Americans to launch a donation drive to support MSF after this. But I haven't seen anything yet. It seems like the least we could do, after our government bombed the crap out of one of their hospitals. Anyone seen anything on social media tying donations to this event?
posted by andoatnp at 5:52 PM on October 6, 2015
posted by andoatnp at 5:52 PM on October 6, 2015
It seems quite logical. MSF doesn't deny medical services to anybody. The U.S. Military has its own hospitals. If they have certain enemy wounded there, this hospital is a very valid enemy target.
a post full of speculation before even the preliminary incident investigation and reporting is done.
...which if the Defense Department and America's Loyal Press do their jobs right, WILL NEVER HAPPEN.
posted by oneswellfoop at 5:57 PM on October 6, 2015
a post full of speculation before even the preliminary incident investigation and reporting is done.
...which if the Defense Department and America's Loyal Press do their jobs right, WILL NEVER HAPPEN.
posted by oneswellfoop at 5:57 PM on October 6, 2015
I do not believe that hospitals are EVER valid military targets. Where does a statement like that even come from? Or did I miss the hamburger?
I missed the hamburger didn't I?
I am just incredibly shocked to read about this. I have been hearing little snatches about it for a few days but did not realize that it was U.S. forces that did it.
posted by SLC Mom at 6:04 PM on October 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
I missed the hamburger didn't I?
I am just incredibly shocked to read about this. I have been hearing little snatches about it for a few days but did not realize that it was U.S. forces that did it.
posted by SLC Mom at 6:04 PM on October 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
Something went horribly wrong. What we need to do is find out what.
But, MSF may well be exactly right. Attacking a marked hospital is a war crime. I don't know if it was marked, but if had the Red Cross or Red Crecent on it, we've committed a war crime.
If it didn't? Things are hazier. If you can prove the US knew it was a hospital, then yes, a war crime.
The problem? Nobody gives a fuck about war crimes anymore. We bombed entire cities in WWII. The idea that civilians are sacrosanct is dead.
It seems quite logical. MSF doesn't deny medical services to anybody. The U.S. Military has its own hospitals. If they have certain enemy wounded there, this hospital is a very valid enemy target.
Nope. Attacking a marked hospital is a war crime. Period, end of statement. If we bombed a German hospital in WWII that had the Red Cross on it, it was a war crime.
posted by eriko at 6:05 PM on October 6, 2015 [9 favorites]
But, MSF may well be exactly right. Attacking a marked hospital is a war crime. I don't know if it was marked, but if had the Red Cross or Red Crecent on it, we've committed a war crime.
If it didn't? Things are hazier. If you can prove the US knew it was a hospital, then yes, a war crime.
The problem? Nobody gives a fuck about war crimes anymore. We bombed entire cities in WWII. The idea that civilians are sacrosanct is dead.
It seems quite logical. MSF doesn't deny medical services to anybody. The U.S. Military has its own hospitals. If they have certain enemy wounded there, this hospital is a very valid enemy target.
Nope. Attacking a marked hospital is a war crime. Period, end of statement. If we bombed a German hospital in WWII that had the Red Cross on it, it was a war crime.
posted by eriko at 6:05 PM on October 6, 2015 [9 favorites]
The United States government has committed war crimes.
Nothing will change. Nobody will be punished.
We are far beyond the point where any of this even matters.
posted by Avenger at 6:06 PM on October 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
Nothing will change. Nobody will be punished.
We are far beyond the point where any of this even matters.
posted by Avenger at 6:06 PM on October 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
^ You are now publically on record as condoning airstrikes on the wounded in hospital. I do hope you feel proud of yourself. I prefer to spit.
posted by adamvasco at 6:06 PM on October 6, 2015
posted by adamvasco at 6:06 PM on October 6, 2015
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posted by Nevin at 5:52 PM on October 6, 2015 [1 favorite]