Global human rights watchdog Amnesty International is demanding answers from Pakistan following a catastrophic airstrike on Kabul’s Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital. The March 16 assault killed at least 400 civilians and wounded over 200, turning a haven for recovery into a scene of unimaginable horror.
Dubbed ‘Operation Gajab Lil Haq,’ the strikes hit the former Camp Phoenix site, which transitioned into a rehab facility post-2016. Pakistan defended the action as targeting munitions storage, but Amnesty’s Isabelle Lassée disputes this, highlighting the military’s negligence in civilian safeguards.
Afghan reports detail the center’s role in treating thousands, with surrounding areas accommodating up to 2,000 individuals. ‘It’s well-documented that this was a civilian site,’ Lassée noted, questioning if proportional assessments were made despite possible arms caches.
The sheer death toll raises red flags on pre-strike intelligence and harm mitigation. Amnesty urges an immediate, transparent probe into decision-making processes and evidentiary basis for the attack.
Beyond accountability, the organization appeals to all sides in the conflict to prioritize civilian lives, especially in medical facilities. This tragedy spotlights the human cost of unchecked military operations, fueling debates on regional stability and adherence to global norms.
As investigations loom, pressure mounts on Islamabad to respond, potentially influencing future cross-border tactics and international relations.