MSF, which has alleged that a war crime took place, is calling on the US and Afghan governments to consent to an independent investigation, a request that has so far been rebuffed.
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The new details suggest that “the hospital was intentionally targeted”, Meinie Nicolai of MSF told the AP by email.
Pentagon officials declined to comment over the issue.
US President Barack Obama spoke by telephone with MSF worldwide President Joanne Liu after the Kunduz bombing and apologized for the attack.
A USA tank “forced” its way into the remains of Afghan hospital on Thursday, potentially destroying evidence after the hospital in Kunduz was bombed by the US military, according to Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).
Mr Quilty said it was possible to see the effects of the air strike and the subsequent fire. If commanders determined that the enemy was operating from a protected site, they would follow procedures created to minimize civilian casualties – not destroy the site.
American special forces knew they were bombing a hospital, according to the Associated Press. There were also suggestions that a Pakistani operative was using the hospital – his reported killing has been used to justify the strike, AP reports.
The story doesn’t settle these questions, and doesn’t claim to, but there is enough uncertainty around this strike to merit more investigation. Five separate strikes by AC-130 gunships on the hospital were carried out over an hour.
“There’s been an extraordinary growth in the delivery of healthcare and representative governance [in Afghanistan] and President Obama’s announcement today will help to protect our country as well as to protect Afghanistan on this road to recovery”, Kerry said.
It would be significant if US intelligence had concluded that Pakistani spies were continuing to play an active role helping the Taliban. “Next week I will host prime minister (Nawaz) Sharif of Pakistan and I will continue to urge all parties in the region to press the Taliban to return to the peace talks” and do their part in pursuit of peace that the Afghan people deserve.
Sunita Viswanath, the co-founder of Women for Afghan Women (WFAW), says that up until the Taliban attack on Kunduz in September, her grassroots program – a community of shelters located in 13 Afghan provinces – had always been warned about simmering threats nearby. “There was absolutely nothing that indicated at any level, including at senior management, that any of our staff was working for Pakistani intelligence”.
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Russia’s entry into the conflict has raised fears of a potential confrontation with the U.S.-led coalition that began airstrikes against ISIS in Syria and Iraq more than a year ago. The recordings have not been released publicly or even to the members of Congress who received a classified briefing on the incident.
