Is it possible the Taliban is using 'suicide shooters' to draw air support onto innocent civilian targets as part of the propaganda war?

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 23:15:54 -0400

The Pentagon said Monday that the weekend airstrike that killed 22 people inside a northern Afghanistan medical clinic was requested by Afghan forces -- who reported being under attack by Taliban fighters -- and not U.S. forces.
“The Afghans advised that they were taking fire,” Gen. John Campbell told reporters at the Pentagon, in a hastily called press conference to correct the record.
“An airstrike was then called to eliminate the Taliban threat and several civilians were accidentally struck. This is different from the initial reports, which indicated that U.S. forces were threatened and that the airstrike was called on their behalf."
However, the revised account does not clarify whether the clinic was targeted in error or whether other mistakes may have been made by U.S. forces.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/10/05/us-military-says-afghan-forces-not-us-requested-airstrike-that-killed-22-in/?intcmp=hplnws

US military says Afghan forces, not US, requested airstrike that killed 22 in hospital

The Pentagon said Monday that the weekend air strike that killed 22 people inside a northern Afghanistan medical clinic was requested by Afghan forces who reported being under attack by Taliban fighters, not U.S. forces.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Oct 5 at 2015 11:29 PM

COL Charles Williams — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 23:29:33 -0400

Yes, of course... Our enemies... know what rules we have to follow, they know our values, and they use them against us.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 6 at 2015 12:21 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 00:21:40 -0400

The jagoffs had their toddlers stopping convoys and running into the street to see if they could stop us to kill us. I see no difference. From what I picked up, the Afghan boots on the ground called in the mission (according to the head American honcho on the ground there). That being the case, this certainly isn't the first or the last time an FNG called in the rain using the wrong grids. Either way, it sucks for those on the ground, it's a major PR victory for the boy rapers, and it is business as usual in the am.

Response by SSgt David Tedrow made Oct 6 at 2015 12:56 AM

SSgt David Tedrow — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 00:56:23 -0400

Anything is possible when dealing with the Taliban. They would do anything to win and make the US look like the bad guys.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Oct 6 at 2015 12:57 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 00:57:34 -0400

Of Course Oldest trick in the Book. Fire from a Position that you know if they do return fire you are going to get some awesome Propaganda and PR for your cause.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2015 2:06 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 14:06:35 -0400

This is indeed possible, but the fact remains that the US AC-130 fired upon a protected target - a hospital. That is only a valid military target in very unique circumstances.
If they were smart enough to emplace the "bait", we were stupid enough to take it.

The facts are not all out yet, but this one looks pretty bad.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Oct 6 at 2015 2:09 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 14:09:00 -0400

I'm guessing in this case, that's not what happened. I'd be willing to put money on this being either betrayal or cowardice. In either case, we sent a freaking AC-130 to attack a target we hadn't personally confirmed...I don't even want to think about that.