'It was a mistake': Pentagon says 10 civilians died in a U.S. drone strike in Afghanistan

During a Pentagon briefing on Friday, Gen. Kenneth McKenzie said an investigation had found that 10 civilians, including seven children, died in a U.S. drone strike in Kabul on Aug. 29. McKenzie said it is unlikely that those who died were linked to the terror group ISIS-K, adding, “It was a mistake, and I offer my sincere apology.”

Video Transcript

KENNETH MCKENZIE: Good afternoon. I'm here to brief the results of the investigation I directed following the report of civilian casualties from our strike in Kabul on 29 August. Having thoroughly reviewed the findings of the investigation and the supporting analysis by interagency partners, I am now convinced that as many as 10 civilians, including up to seven children, were tragically killed in that strike. Moreover, we now assess that it is unlikely that the vehicle and those who died were associated with ISIS-K or were a direct threat to US forces.

I offer my profound condolences to the family and friends of those who were killed. This strike was taken in the earnest belief that it would prevent an imminent threat to our forces and the evacuees at the airport, but it was a mistake, and I offer my sincere apology. As the combatant commander, I am fully responsible for this strike and its tragic outcome.