Central Command is looking into whether the recent Syrian strike killed an al Qaeda leader.

Was the Recent Syrian Strike a Mistake?

The U.S. military recently conducted a strike in Syria targeting an influential al Qaeda leader. However, it is now unclear whether the target was actually killed in the strike. The strike occurred on May 3 in northwest Syria, and local reports of a civilian casualty were acknowledged on May 9. The U.S. Central Command is investigating the incident, as it is standard procedure to investigate reports of civilian casualties.

Who Was Killed in the Strike?

The Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the “White Helmets,” reported that Lutfi Hassan Masto was killed in the strike. However, Masto’s family denies that he was a terrorist or associated with al Qaeda. They claim that he was simply having breakfast with his family, herding his sheep, and enjoying tea with his brother before being struck by a missile. Officials are now doubting their initial assessment that Masto was an influential al Qaeda leader.

What is the U.S. Military’s Response?

The U.S. military has declined to identify the target of the strike or whether they believe the intended target was a casualty of it. They continue to assert that the target was a senior al-Qaeda leader. However, they are investigating allegations that the strike may have unintentionally resulted in harm to civilians. The U.S. military has faced significant criticism in the past for civilian casualties resulting from strikes, and they have implemented policies to reduce such casualties.

What Happened in Previous Incidents?

The U.S. military has faced criticism for previous strikes resulting in civilian casualties, including a strike in Afghanistan in August 2021 and a drone strike in Baghuz, Syria in March 2019. Investigations into these incidents did not result in disciplinary action for the service members involved, but they did reveal policy compliance deficiencies at multiple levels of command.

It remains to be seen what the outcome of the investigation into the recent Syrian strike will be, but it highlights the challenges and risks involved in conducting counterterrorism operations in the Middle East.