Kabul riot: more Pentagon evasion

Witnesses said American soldiers fired on Afghans throwing stones at them after the crash, though the United States military said only that warning shots had been fired in the air.
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It became clear the American military and the Afghan police and army had used their weapons to try to disperse the crowds. Scores of people were treated in hospitals for gunshot wounds.

If you’re being attacked by a furious mob that is throwing stones at you, most would say you have the right to shoot in self-defense. So why doesn’t the Pentagon just say that, rather than have the truth seep out later anyway and be caught yet again in lies.

Also, what was the nature of the “mechanical failure” that led to the crash? No report on that anywhere yet.