One of the most recurring aspects of the intelligence was that ISIS-K would utilize a white Toyota Corolla

 9-17-21   Marine Gen.

Kenneth McKenzie, chief of US Central Command (Mideast) on 8-29 Kabul drone strike and investigation thereof:

  In the 48-hours prior to the strike sensitive intelligence indicated that the compound at point number one on the map was being used by ISIS-K planners, used to facilitate future attacks.  We were also receiving a significant number of reports indicating multiple avenues of attached which were being planned simultaneously.  Through which ISIS-K would attempt to harm our forces including with rockets, suicide explosive vests and vehicle born improvised explosive devices.

In fact in the 36-hours preceding the strike our leaders on the ground at the airport and in the strike cell received more than 60 different pieces of intelligence related to imminent threats with some intelligence corroborating and some conflicting.  With events observed from our UAVs, which were flying above Kabul throughout the day.

  One of the most recurring aspects of the intelligence was that ISIS-K would utilize a white Toyota Corolla as a key element in the next attack.  Because the compound at point number one was our strongest lead for this series of imminent attacks we initiated an intense surveillance of the compound with as many as six MQ-9 Reapers on the morning of 29 August.  At 8:52 A.M. local time on 29 August a white Toyota Corolla arrived at point number one, the compound we believed to be a key area of interest associated with imminent threats to the airport.

  Two adult males exited the vehicle, met with an adult male in the compound and received a bag from him.  The Corolla then departed the compound heading south and we followed the vehicle.  At 9:05 A.M. the Toyota Corolla picked up a third adult male carrying a bag at point number two and then continued south.  At 9:35 the Corolla arrived at the compound at point number 3, which we now know to include an office of nutrition and education international.  And all three adult males, in the vehicle, entered the building on the compound.

At 11:19 A.M. three adult males unloaded bags and jugs from the trunk of the vehicle before departing the compound at 11:22 A.M. heading south.  At approximately this time U.S. forces were notified of a sensitive intelligence collection indicating that an ISIS-K cell leader, in Kabul, was dropping off supplies.  At 12:11 P.M. the Corolla arrived at point number four and at least two adult male occupants exited the vehicle in front of an office building before returning to their vehicle and departing at 1:27 P.M. heading west and then south.

At 2:00 P.M. the Corolla returned to the compound at point number three.  Subsequently multiple adult males were observed loading the truck of the vehicle -- the trunk of the vehicle with items assessed at the time to be explosives before departing at 3:47 P.M. with four adult males heading north.

At 4:11 P.M. the Corolla returned to point number two and dropped off one adult male carrying a bag then continued north.  After driving near point number one, the Corolla dropped off one adult male on the road at point number five, which is roughly several hundred meters north of point number one.  At 4:39 P.M. the Corolla dropped off its last passenger on the road at point number six.

At 4:51 P.M. the Corolla arrived at point number seven and back into a compound that was approximately three kilometers from the airport which was the closest it came to the airport all day. We were very concerned that the vehicle could move quickly and be at the airport boundary in a matter of moments.  By this time we had observed the vehicle for about eight hours.  While in the compound, the vehicle was observed being approached by a single adult male assessed at the time to be a co-conspirator.  The strike was executed at this time because the vehicle was stationary and to reduce the potential for civilian casualties.  A single Hellfire missile was fused to detonate inside the vehicle to further minimize the chance for civilian casualties.

It struck the vehicle of vehicle at 4:53 PM, which produced an explosive event and follow-on flames significantly larger than a Hellfire missile would have been expected to produce.

It is my assessment that leaders on the ground and the strike cell had achieved a reasonable certainty at the time of the strike to designate the vehicle as an imminent threat to U.S. forces at the airport, and that they made a self-defense strike in accordance with established rules of engagement.  That assessment is based upon interviews with leaders on the ground and members of strike cell, on a review of the intelligence available to the team at the time of the strike and on the team's interpretation of how this vehicle and its occupants' actions were confirming the intelligence that they were seeing.

  Our investigation now concludes that the strike was a tragic mistake.  First I will stress this was not a rushed strike.  The strike cell deliberately followed and observed this vehicle and its occupants for eight hours while crosschecking what they were seeing with all available intelligence to develop a reasonable certainty of the imminent threat that this vehicle posed to our forces.  Second while the initial reports indicated the secondary explosion, the initial investigation could only conclude that there was a possible to probable presence of external accelerants that could include either explosive material in the vehicle or ignition of the gas tank of the vehicle.  Subsequent analysis could not rule out the presence of a small amount of explosive material but determined that the most likely cause was the ignition of gas from a propane tank located immediately behind the car.

  A comprehensive review of all the available footage and reporting on the matter led us to a final conclusion, that as many as 10 civilians were killed in the strike, including up to seven children.  At the time of the strike based upon all the intelligence and what was being reported I was confident that the strike had averted an imminent threat to our forces at the airport.  Based upon that assessment I and other leaders in the department repeatedly asserted the validity of this strike.

Q:  And will anybody be held responsible?

GEN. MCKENZIE:  We are in the process right now of continuing that line of investigation, and I have nothing for you now because that involves personnel issues.  https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/2780738/general-kenneth-f-mckenzie-jr-commander-of-us-central-command-and-pentagon-pres/

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9-17-21  the driver of the targeted vehicle was a longtime employee at a U.S. humanitarian organization.  There were no signs of a large secondary blast, despite the Pentagon’s assertion that the vehicle contained explosives. 

Emal Ahmadi told the AP on Saturday that he wants the U.S. to investigate who fired the drone and punish those responsible.  He said that he was frustrated that the family never received a call from U.S. officials, despite repeated requests.  Zemerai Ahmadi was the family’s breadwinner and had looked after his three brothers, including Emal, and their children.  “Now I am then one who is responsible for all my family and I am jobless,” said Emal Ahmadi.https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-kabul-strikes-islamic-state-group-4c7f8aa6ff1c6f95363085dd393a8b03

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  The US Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley says “the procedures were correctly followed” and that the attack “was a righteous strike”.  The Pentagon claims Zemarai Ahmadi was a “facilitator for the Islamic State” -- and that his car was packed with explosives, posing an imminent threat to US troops.  But an investigation by the New York Times based on security footage of Zemarai Ahmadi pieced together his movements hours before he was killed.  What they found seems to suggest Zemarai Ahmadi was not an imminent threat to US troops but a long time aid worker.  And that he was not carrying explosive material but water containers to his house because of a water shortage in his neighborhood….

  Emal says now the plans of relocating to America have been abandoned.  He also wanted to send a message to foreign nations:  “My message for the USA and other countries is that they should try and avoid making mistakes in Afghanistan.  Do not try to target civilian people.  Because Afghan people like members of their family a lot.  And when they lose a father or brother or son is very difficult for them.”

  The US has since admitted knowing nothing about Zemarai Ahmadi before killing him.  And the morning after the strike that killed Emal’s family, the self-proclaimed Islamic State group did attack the airport, using rockets launched by a white Toyota, like Zemari Ahmadi’s.  https://www.euronews.com/2021/09/12/only-god-knows-about-my-hurt-afghan-father-who-lost-daughter-in-us-strike-tells-euronews

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