2022 drone strike in Kabul

2022 drone strike in Kabul was a United States Air Force drone strike that occurred on 31 July 2022 in the Kabul neighborhood of Khwaja Bughra. The operation, conducted by United States Central Command (CENTCOM), targeted a vehicle and resulted in the deaths of three individuals. An initial investigation by the United States Department of Defense claimed the strike eliminated an imminent threat to Hamid Karzai International Airport from Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), but subsequent reporting revealed the victims were civilians.

Background

Following the 2021 Taliban offensive and the subsequent Fall of Kabul (2021), the United States and allied forces executed a large-scale evacuation from Hamid Karzai International Airport. This period, known as the 2021 evacuation from Afghanistan, was marked by high threat levels, culminating in the 2021 Kabul airport attack perpetrated by militants from Islamic State – Khorasan Province. In the aftermath, the Joe Biden administration authorized continued over-the-horizon counterterrorism operations to address threats from groups like ISIS-K and al-Qaeda. The United States Department of Defense maintained intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities in the region, setting the conditions for the strike.

The strike

On 31 July 2022, a United States Air Force MQ-9 Reaper, operated under the authority of United States Central Command, conducted a kinetic strike in a residential area of Kabul. The operation targeted a white Toyota Corolla sedan traveling in the Khwaja Bughra neighborhood. Military officials stated the action was based on intelligence indicating the vehicle posed an imminent threat to forces at Hamid Karzai International Airport, alleging it contained explosives and an ISIS-K facilitator. The Hellfire missile strike destroyed the vehicle, killing its occupant, Zemari Ahmadi, and two other individuals nearby.

Aftermath and investigation

Initial statements from the Pentagon Press Secretary and United States Central Command asserted the strike was a "righteous" action that prevented a threat to Hamid Karzai International Airport. However, investigations by journalists from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN quickly contradicted the official account, revealing the victim, Zemari Ahmadi, was a long-time employee of the Nutrition and Education International aid organization. Following mounting evidence, United States Central Command commander General Michael E. Kurilla ordered a formal review led by U.S. Air Force General Michael T. Moseley. The investigation concluded in April 2023, finding no violation of law but citing confirmation bias and execution errors.

Reactions

The incident drew widespread condemnation from international organizations and foreign governments. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan expressed grave concern over the loss of civilian life. The Taliban-led Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan denounced the strike as a violation of Afghan sovereignty. In the United States, members of the United States Congress, including Ilhan Omar and Tom Cotton, criticized the operation and the initial Pentagon assessment. The Ahmadi family's attorney demanded accountability and compensation. In response to the investigation's findings, the United States Department of Defense announced ex gratia payments to the victims' families and stated it had implemented changes to its targeting and strike processes.

See also

* War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) * 2021 Kabul airport attack * Islamic State – Khorasan Province * Drone strikes in Pakistan * Civilian casualties from U.S. drone strikes

Category:2022 in Afghanistan Category:United States Air Force Category:History of Kabul