The Pentagon has admitted a drone strike in Kabul that killed 10 civilians, including up to 7 children, was a “tragic mistake”.

General Kenneth Franklin McKenzie Jr, head of US central command, said it is “unlikely” the vehicle targeted on 29 August – or those who died – were associated with ISIS-K or were a direct threat to US forces.

“This strike was taken in the earnest belief that it would prevent an imminent threat to our forces and the evacuees at the airport,” he said. “But it was a mistake and I offer my sincere apology.

“As the combatant commander, I am fully responsible for this strike and this tragic outcome.”

He offered his “profound condolences” to the families and friends of those who were killed.

For days after the strike, Pentagon officials had insisted that it had been conducted directly, despite reports that the driver of the targeted car was a long-time employee at an American humanitarian organisation.

Gen Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters two days after the attack that it appeared to have been a “righteous” strike and that at least one of the people killed was a “facilitator” for ISIS-K – the Islamic State group’s Afghanistan affiliate.

The strike followed ISIS-K’s suicide bombing at Kabul airport, which killed 169 Afghan civilians and 13 US soldiers.

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