Experts urge release of boat strike video as US admiral denies ‘kill them all’ order
In a recent congressional briefing, a troubling incident involving a military operation against a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean has ignited bipartisan outrage and raised serious legal and ethical questions. Democratic Congressman Jim Himes described the footage shown during the closed session as “one of the most troubling scenes” he has witnessed in his time in public service. The operation, which reportedly resulted in the killing of surviving members of the crew aboard the alleged drug vessel, has raised alarms about the legality of such military actions under U.S. law. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced scrutiny as lawmakers from both parties questioned the appropriateness of the double strike, with concerns mounting over potential war crimes committed during the operation.
During the briefing, U.S. Navy Admiral Frank Bradley, who commanded the operation, along with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, presented video evidence and detailed accounts of the attack to members of the House and Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees. While Hegseth has denied issuing orders to kill survivors, the incident has sparked a broader debate on the legality of U.S. military actions in the “drug boat war,” a term that reflects the controversial nature of operations targeting drug trafficking via maritime routes. Lawmakers are grappling with the implications of such military strategies, particularly in light of international law and the potential for civilian casualties.
As the investigation unfolds, the incident highlights the complexities and moral dilemmas faced by military and government officials in the fight against drug trafficking. The bipartisan concern expressed by lawmakers underscores a growing demand for clarity and accountability in military operations, especially those involving lethal force against suspected criminals. As the U.S. continues to navigate its role in combating drug-related violence and trafficking, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges at the intersection of national security, law enforcement, and human rights.
Democrat Jim Himes calls footage ‘one of the most troubling scenes’ he’s observed in public service
Analysis: Killing of survivors sparks outrage – but entire US ‘drug boat’ war is legally shaky
Top Democratic and Republican lawmakers in Congress on Thursday said that the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, had not ordered the military to kill surviving members of a deadly attack on a boat alleged to be carrying drugs in the Caribbean, but differed over whether the double strike was appropriate.
The allegation that Hegseth ordered the killing of survivors sparked
bipartisan concern
in Washington that he or others involved may have committed a war crime. On Thursday, US navy admiral Frank Bradley, who commanded the attack, and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Dan Caine, appeared before the House and Senate’s armed services and intelligence committees for a closed briefing in which they showed video and discussed the attack with lawmakers.
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