This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-34447792

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Afghans requested strike that hit MSF Kunduz clinic - US Kunduz: US says Afghans requested air strike that hit MSF clinic
(35 minutes later)
Afghan forces called in the air strike that hit a Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) clinic in Kunduz, killing 22 people, a US general says.Afghan forces called in the air strike that hit a Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) clinic in Kunduz, killing 22 people, a US general says.
Gen John Campbell also said no US forces had been under fire at the time, reversing an earlier statement.Gen John Campbell also said no US forces had been under fire at the time, reversing an earlier statement.
MSF says Afghan attempts to justify the strike amount to "an admission of a war crime".MSF says Afghan attempts to justify the strike amount to "an admission of a war crime".
Afghan forces backed by the US have retaken much of Kunduz, which was overrun by the Taliban last week.Afghan forces backed by the US have retaken much of Kunduz, which was overrun by the Taliban last week.
Twelve MSF staff members and 10 patients were killed when the hospital was hit on Saturday by a US airstrike. MSF says it was a lifeline for thousands in the city and in northern Afghanistan.Twelve MSF staff members and 10 patients were killed when the hospital was hit on Saturday by a US airstrike. MSF says it was a lifeline for thousands in the city and in northern Afghanistan.
"We have now learned that on 3 October, Afghan forces advised that they were taking fire from enemy positions and asked for air support from US air forces," said Gen Campbell, the top commander of the US-led Nato coalition in Afghanistan."We have now learned that on 3 October, Afghan forces advised that they were taking fire from enemy positions and asked for air support from US air forces," said Gen Campbell, the top commander of the US-led Nato coalition in Afghanistan.
"An air strike was then called to eliminate the Taliban threat and several civilians were accidentally struck." He expressed his "deepest condolences" over the civilian deaths."An air strike was then called to eliminate the Taliban threat and several civilians were accidentally struck." He expressed his "deepest condolences" over the civilian deaths.
Clinic 'repeatedly' targeted Is it ever legal to bomb a hospital?
Responding to Gen Campbell's remarks, Christopher Stokes, the General Director of MSF, accused the US of "attempting to pass responsibility to the Afghanistan government".
"The reality is the US dropped those bombs," Mr Stokes said. "The US hit a huge hospital full of wounded patients and MSF staff. The US military remains responsible for the targets it hits, even though it is part of a coalition.
"There can be no justification for this horrible attack. With such constant discrepancies in the US and Afghan accounts of what happened, the need for a full transparent independent investigation is ever more critical."
On Saturday the Afghan defence ministry said "armed terrorists" were using the hospital "as a position to target Afghan forces and civilians".On Saturday the Afghan defence ministry said "armed terrorists" were using the hospital "as a position to target Afghan forces and civilians".
A day later, the Pentagon said a strike had been conducted against insurgents directly firing on US forces - the statement Gen Campbell rolled back on.A day later, the Pentagon said a strike had been conducted against insurgents directly firing on US forces - the statement Gen Campbell rolled back on.
MSF said the Afghan comments implied that "Afghan and US forces working together decided to raze to the ground a fully functioning hospital".
It said the clinic had been targeted "repeatedly and precisely".
Is it ever legal to bomb a hospital?
MSF also said that none of its staff had reported fighting inside the hospital compound prior to the strike, though one local, Mohammad Arif, told the BBC Taliban militants had entered the hospital building and there had been firing.MSF also said that none of its staff had reported fighting inside the hospital compound prior to the strike, though one local, Mohammad Arif, told the BBC Taliban militants had entered the hospital building and there had been firing.
The Pentagon says a full, transparent investigation will be conducted into the incident.The Pentagon says a full, transparent investigation will be conducted into the incident.
Gen Campbell said the strike had been carried out from an AC-130 gunship, but declined to give further details, including over the rules of engagement under which US forces were operating.Gen Campbell said the strike had been carried out from an AC-130 gunship, but declined to give further details, including over the rules of engagement under which US forces were operating.
He said he expected to receive a preliminary report into the incident within a couple of days.He said he expected to receive a preliminary report into the incident within a couple of days.
MSF has called for an independent investigation by an international body.
Areas of Kunduz now controlled by government forces include the police chief's office, the central square and the governor's compound.Areas of Kunduz now controlled by government forces include the police chief's office, the central square and the governor's compound.
Residents ventured out of their homes and shops reopened on Monday. However, pockets of Taliban resistance were reported on the outskirts of Kunduz.Residents ventured out of their homes and shops reopened on Monday. However, pockets of Taliban resistance were reported on the outskirts of Kunduz.
Read more on the battle for Kunduz:Read more on the battle for Kunduz: