The Pentagon acknowledged on Friday that the last US drone strike before American troops withdrew from Afghanistan was a tragic mistake that killed 10 civilians, including seven children, after initially saying it had been necessary to prevent an attack on troops.

The acknowledgment came a week after a New York Times investigation of video evidence challenged assertions by the military that it had struck a vehicle carrying explosives meant for the Kabul airport.

“I offer my profound condolences to the family and friends of those who were killed,” General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr, the head of US central command, said on Friday.

New York Times News Service