U.S. Service Members Punished for Strike on Hospital in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department has disciplined at least a dozen military personnel for their roles in an airstrike in October on a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Afghanistan that killed 42 people, senior military officials said, but they are not expected to face criminal charges.

 

The personnel, including officers and enlisted members, were given administrative punishments, the officials said. The Associated Press first reported the disciplinary actions Wednesday.

 

Among those disciplined are soldiers who were on the ground, personnel at the operations center that oversaw the strike, and airmen. Others involved may also be disciplined, the officials said.

 

Administrative punishments typically include letters of reprimand, which can significantly hurt the ability of a member of the military to get promoted.

 

The Pentagon is expected to release a report on the inquiry in the coming weeks, officials there said. Investigators have cited many factors, including breakdowns in communication between Afghan forces and American Special Operations forces.

 

Read More: U.S. Service Members Punished for Strike on Hospital in Afghanistan – The New York Times