Doctors Without Borders marked the first anniversary Monday of the U.S. military’s bombing of its hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan, on October 3, 2015. The attack killed 42 people, including patients and staff. Doctors Without Borders has described patients burning in their beds, medical staff who were decapitated and lost limbs, and staff members shot from the air while they fled the burning building. The Pentagon has called the attack a “mistake.” Sixteen U.S. officers have received administrative discipline over the attack, but none have faced criminal charges. This is Doctors Without Borders Switzerland President Thomas Nierle.
Dr. Thomas Nierle: “Four out of five members of the Security Council, permanent members of the Security Council, are allied to forces who commit these crimes. And on the other hand, on the U.N. Security Council, there’s—one resolution after the other is passed that healthcare structures should not be attacked, that they are protected, that it should be respected, but in the end, nothing changes.”
The bombing of the hospital one year ago came after Taliban forces took control of the city of Kunduz. U.S.-backed Afghan forces later retook control of the city. But on Monday, the Taliban again launched an offensive in Kunduz. Fighting for control of the city continues today. The U.S. war in Afghanistan is the longest war in U.S. history.