Civilian Deaths in US Airstrike on Kabul Terror Vehicle... Taliban Condemns as "Sovereignty Violation" (Comprehensive)

US Military "No Signs of Civilian Casualties"... Reports of 9 Deaths
Taliban Strongly Criticizes "Sovereignty Violation, Peace Agreement Breach"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The United States announced that it conducted an airstrike on a vehicle belonging to Islamic State (IS) terrorists who were planning additional attacks in Kabul, Afghanistan. However, criticism has arisen as it was reported that civilian casualties occurred during the airstrike. The Taliban also protested, calling it a violation of sovereignty and the peace agreement, and it is expected that the controversy over the legitimacy of the airstrike will intensify.

On the 29th (local time), Bill Urban, spokesperson for the U.S. Central Command, stated in a press release, "We conducted a drone strike on a vehicle in Kabul, eliminating an imminent threat from IS Khorasan (IS-K) to Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul," emphasizing, "We are confident that we successfully hit the target." On the same day, the U.S. military reportedly attacked and destroyed a vehicle in Kabul city that was attempting to carry out a bomb attack on Kabul Airport using a drone.

He added, "A significant secondary explosion occurred, indicating that the vehicle carried a substantial amount of explosives," and explained, "We are confirming the possibility of civilian casualties, but so far there are no signs of such, and we remain vigilant against potential future threats."

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

However, immediately after the announcement, reports emerged that civilian deaths occurred during the airstrike. CNN reported that right after the U.S. military drone struck the vehicle of IS Khorasan (IS-K) terrorists, a secondary explosion caused by bombs loaded in the vehicle occurred, killing nine members of a family, including six children. CNN stated that the family was boarding the vehicle for a family event in front of their home when the incident happened.

CNN cited eyewitnesses at the scene and family members of the deceased, reporting, "Among the nine family members who died, there was one adult each aged 40, 30, and 20, and the remaining six were under 10 years old. There were two two-year-olds, one three-year-old, and one four-year-old."

The bereaved family told CNN in an interview, "We were an ordinary family. We are not Islamic State (IS), and this was a family home," crying. Earlier, the Associated Press quoted Afghan officials reporting that three children lost their lives in the airstrike.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

As controversy over the legitimacy of the airstrike grew due to the large number of civilian deaths, the Taliban also issued a critical statement against the U.S. military airstrike. The Taliban stated in a press release, "The U.S. military's attack on IS-K is a violation of sovereignty," adding, "This clearly violates the peace agreement signed by both sides in Doha, Qatar." They further emphasized, "Military operations like this in Kabul and interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs after the withdrawal deadline should not occur."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.