Roundup: Bombing of MSF hospital adds to misery of war-weary Afghans

Last week's bombing on the hospital run by the Medicins Sans Frontieres (Medicines without Frontiers) by U.S. forces has added to the misery and ill- will against the Americans among of the war-weary Afghan residents.

In an interview with Xinhua, Mohammad Usman, a government employee, said while the people of Kunduz suffered a lot during the capture of the city by Taliban militants on Sept. 29 where scores have been either killed or injured, the bombing of the MSF hospital has added to their suffering.

The air raid carried out by the U.S. planes reportedly on the request of the Afghan forces, has killed 22 people, including 12 hospital staff and injured 37 others, including some patients. Thirty-three others, including nine patients and 24 hospital staff are still missing.

As of Friday, sporadic clashes between the remnants of the Taliban and government forces have continued in some parts of the city as Afghan security forces have been trying to clear the city, 250 km north of Kabul.

"The MSF-run trauma hospital in Kunduz City was the most equipped health facility in the northeastern provinces and its destruction by the American forces has added to the ordeal of people," said Ahmaduillah.

Ahmaduillah said after the MSF hospital was destroyed, injured victims of the continued fighting have nowhere to go. Some are brought to hospitals in the neighboring Baghlan province and in Kabul.

Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqub, a religious scholar and member of Ulema (religious council) of Kunduz province, told Xinhua that hospitals are not supposed to be targeted during any fighting.

"The attack on an aid agency and the killing of non-combatants is a breach of international conventions, a violation of international laws and an act that deserves condemnation," Yaqub said.

Like what the MSF officials have said, Yaqub also called for impartial probe into the tragic incident, adding that those responsible should be prosecuted.

Ahmad Fawad, an elderly citizen of Kunduz, said he hoped that the MSF would remain in Afghanistan despite the incident and keep on providing quality health care to Afghans.

After the bombing, the MSF announced that it was suspending its medical mission in Kunduz city.

"It is a matter of sorrow for all Kunduz people to see the MSF hospital destroyed. We the people in Kunduz want it rebuilt and the operation of MSF resumed soonest," Fawad asserted.

The situation in Kunduz City is fluid as government forces have not yet completed their counter offensive against the Taliban. Some Taliban militants are still hiding in different parts of the city.

As a result of the intermittent firefight, shops and bakeries remain closed and the prices of basic items are skyrocketing.

While there has been no precise information about the casualties among civilians during the fighting, unofficial sources said nearly 200 civilians have been killed while 500 others have been injured. Endi