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A family member of 10 Afghans killed in a US drone strike after a civilian vehicle was mistaken for an ISIS-K threat said on Saturday the Pentagon’s apology was “not enough” and called on US officials to launch a full investigation into the incident to identify those responsible.
Emal Ahmadi, whose brother Zemerai Ahmadi and 3-year-old daughter Malika Ahmadi were among those killed in the August 29 strike, told The Associated Press that “anyone who did this should be punished.”
“It’s not fair,” he said, adding that officials should also give his family financial compensation and move them to the United States or some other safe place.
Requests come after U.S. Central Command chief Gen. Frank McKenzie told reporters at the Pentagon on Friday that “10 civilians, including up to seven children, were tragically killed” in the strike which officials said previously killed one ISIS-K member and three civilians.
The Pentagon initially said the US military struck a vehicle deemed “an imminent ISIS-K threat” to US forces evacuating vulnerable Americans and Afghans at Kabul airport.
However, reports have emerged in recent weeks that Zemerai Ahmadi was targeted based on unsubstantiated claims he had ties to ISIS-K, which days earlier carried out a suicide bombing at Kabul airport that killed 13 US servicemen and at least 169 Afghan civilians.
U.S. officials also reportedly believed Zemerai Ahmadi had explosives in his vehicle, although McKenzie noted on Friday that the likely cause of the explosions associated with the strike was “”ignition of gas from a propane tank located immediately behind the car.
The strike investigation also revealed that Zemari Ahmadi worked for an aid group, Nutrition and Education International.
McKenzie said on Friday that an investigation into the strike concluded she was “a tragic mistake, “adding that he wished to share his” deep condolences to the family and friends of those who were killed. “
“This strike was carried out with the conviction 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 apologies,” he continued. “As commander of the fighters, I am fully responsible for the strike and this tragic outcome.”
However, Emal Ahmadi told the AP in response to McKenzie’s remarks: “It’s not enough for us to say sorry.”
“The United States should find the person who did this,” he added.
La Colline has contacted the Pentagon for comment.
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