Article

2021-09-19 Afghanistan

CIA warned children were possibly present seconds before US missile killed 10

(CNN) Just after the US military launched a Hellfire missile to stop a white Toyota Corolla it believed to be an imminent threat to US troops leading the evacuation at the Kabul airport, the CIA issued an urgent warning: Civilians were likely in the area, including possibly children inside the vehicle, according to three sources familiar with the situation.

It was too late. The warning on August 29 came seconds before the missile hit the car, killing 10 civilians, including seven children.

In the weeks following, the military insisted that it had been a justified strike on a confirmed terrorist target, acknowledging that some civilians might have been killed. But on Friday, after weeks of media coverage casting doubt on the legitimacy of the strike, the military acknowledged no one in the car was affiliated with ISIS-K as originally believed. "It was a mistake," Gen. Frank McKenzie, the top general of US Central Command, said bluntly at the Pentagon.

It's not clear whether the military informed the intelligence community that it had decided to pull the trigger -- if for no other reason than that the situation was rapidly evolving. The military calls such strikes, which commanders in the field were authorized to take without consulting up the chain of command, "dynamic."

In some cases, the military might ask the intelligence community to "task" its surveillance drones and other assets to watch a particular car or a particular location. The intelligence community would share data on the targets with the Defense Department in real time, but it is ultimately the military ground force commander's decision to take the strike.

Some sources say the miscommunication highlights a now-pressing decision for the Biden administration as it weighs how to conduct future strikes in Afghanistan without US troops on the ground there: Will the Defense Department or CIA own the mission?

Posted by Besoeker 2021-09-19 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11130 views ] Top

You were warned about the impending Taliban takeover. You were warned about potentially faulty targeting and civilians in the VIC. You wish to go it alone White House and DoD, then you own it. Have a nice day.

Posted by Besoeker 2021-09-19 04:37|| 2021-09-19 04:37|| Front Page Top

#2 Pinkerton: Democrats Confront the Mysteries of Afghanistan as They Run Interference for Biden’s Debacle

Posted by Skidmark 2021-09-19 07:37|| 2021-09-19 07:37|| Front Page Top

#3 In some cases, the military might ask the intelligence community to "task" its surveillance drones and other assets to watch a particular car or a particular location.

In some cases...

If the intel community (CIA) isn't sharing its actionable information with the military in real time - what good are they?

And lets be honest, the "intel community" went blind when the Afghan NDS and MOI folks went into self-preservation mode and bugged out...after that the CIA had nothing. Well, I take that back...they do still maintain one source that is hawking their "narrative" leaked out into the media via CNN.

Posted by Tennessee 2021-09-19 09:04|| 2021-09-19 09:04|| Front Page Top

#4 'did they vote for me?' - Joey 'Plugs' Biden

Posted by Retard Strength 2021-09-19 09:17|| 2021-09-19 09:17|| Front Page Top

#5 After clicking the submit button the caffeine pushed a few more thoughts through the morning fog in my brain.

1. If...if...what the CIA talking head is true, their silence after 29 Aug is egregious and complicit...why didn't Mr. CIA mouthpiece bring this information into the light immediately after the killing of these children? For Brennan to bring it up now in a CYA move is stupid and displays a craven lack of morals.

2. Why did it take the Times of all people to conduct an effective battle damage assessment? Or, did the CIA and CENTCOM conduct one and cover it up? The cover up conducted for apparent political reasons is criminal.

Posted by Tennessee 2021-09-19 09:27|| 2021-09-19 09:27|| Front Page Top

#6 Thisi is CIA leaking dubious info for covering its ass for yet another egregious screw up. The CIA is rotten and needs to be demolished and replaced from the ground up.

Posted by Greater the Anonymous5721 2021-09-19 11:15|| 2021-09-19 11:15|| Front Page Top

#7 /\ For Brennan to bring it up now in a CYA move is stupid and displays a craven lack of morals.

Absolutely true, but NOT out of character.

If the intel community (CIA) isn't sharing its actionable information with the military in real time - what good are they?

Please rest assured, "real time" sharing of anything simply does NOT happen. The only time sharing is assured is when it suits the Klingon's or when DoD is about to stumble over, or compromise something.

Why did it take the Times of all people to conduct an effective battle damage assessment?

The BDA was done, release authority was probably the hold up. Pushing the release up the track was done through media pressure. Foreign media publishing the BDA is bad juju. Better to flop it out on the table for examination yourself and avoid the larger embarrassment.

* Numbers 3 and 5, excellent comments by the way.
** Number 6. Please proceed to the head of the class.

Posted by Besoeker 2021-09-19 11:18|| 2021-09-19 11:18|| Front Page Top

#8 In some way the guy I feel sorry for is the one who pulled the trigger on the drone. He was told that it was a legitimate target. From what he could see, the target was loading something into the car.
Then it turned out to be an aid worker with a car full of kids.
If it were me, I would be consumed with guilt. He will probably need therapy.

Posted by Rambler in Virginia 2021-09-19 13:04|| 2021-09-19 13:04|| Front Page Top

#9 Death by committee spreads the blame out and allows for no-one to actually be held accountable. Like the gallows scene in In Cold Blood: Reporter: "Does the executioner have a name?" Unidentified witness: "Yeah, 'We the people.'"

Posted by M. Murcek 2021-09-19 13:14|| 2021-09-19 13:14|| Front Page Top

#10 I miss our 13 US troops more.

Posted by Gluter Mussolini5141 2021-09-19 21:04|| 2021-09-19 21:04|| Front Page Top

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