Battle of Boz Qandahari

In the immediate aftermath of the battle it was not known exactly who conducted the airstrikes, with Kunduz Province Governor Asadullah Omarkhail contradicting local officials by denying U.S. forces took part in the raid, and arguing that Afghan Air Force helicopter units were called in instead.^[5] This was later repeated by the spokesman for the Afghan Ministry of Defense Gen. Dawlat Waziri.

On November 5, the commander of the Resolute Support Mission Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr. issued a statement in which he confirmed that U.S. forces were indeed responsible for the civilian casualties, and promised a joint US-Afghan investigation into the events.^[7] "I deeply regret the loss of innocent lives, regardless of the circumstances," the announcement read, "The loss of innocent life is a tragedy and our thoughts are with the families."^[8] The office of President Ashraf Ghani also issued a statement, in which they blamed the Taliban for any civilian casualties. "The enemies of Afghanistan used civilians and their houses as a shield in fighting with Afghan forces in Boz Qandahari area of Kunduz city, and as a result a number of civilians were killed and wounded, including women and children," the statement read.^[5]

A senior leader in Boz Qandahari, however, denied there were Taliban members in the village, and instead accused government forces of harassing the residents because of their Pashtun origin. Most Kunduz natives are of Tajik or Uzbek ethnic origin.^[8] The local, named Jamaluddin, said at least four houses were destroyed in a series of raids that lasted for up to five hours, and began after a joint Afghan-U.S. force arrived via helicopter.^[8] Foreign reporters questioned the authenticity of some of these statements, pointing out that the narrow alley where the U.S. and Afghan soldiers were killed is only accessible from the houses that were bombed.^[9]

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) announced on November 6 that it will investigate the attack, in which at least 32 civilians were now known to have died. The head of UNAMA, Tadamichi Yamamoto, described the loss of civilian life as "unacceptable", and urged international military forces to take all measures to minimize it.^[6]

A NATO investigation determined that 33 civilians were killed in the battle, 27 civilians were wounded, and 26 Taliban fighters were killed.^[11] The investigation cleared U.S. forces of wrongdoing.^[12]

Military Times reported on 1 December 2017 that the crewmembers of an AC-130U Gunship ("Spooky 43") was awarded the Mackay Trophy for their actions during the battle; of the 14 crewmembers, 5 members of the crew were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and 4 others were awarded the Air Medal with valour.^[13]

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36°44′00″N 68°52′00″E / 36.7333°N 68.8667°E / 36.7333; 68.8667