Democrats demand Pentagon’s explanation on potential civilian casualties from May drone strike.

A Democratic Lawmakers Demand Answers from the Department of Defense on Drone Strike Investigation

A group of Democratic lawmakers is seeking transparency from the Department of Defense regarding an ongoing investigation into a drone strike in Syria. The strike, which took place in May, is suspected to have resulted in the death of a civilian.

Initially, U.S. Central Command, responsible for overseeing military operations in the Middle East, claimed that the strike had killed a “senior al-Qaeda leader.” However, there were immediate indications that a civilian had also been killed. Approximately two weeks after the strike, officials announced an investigation into the incident.

Controversy Surrounding the Strike

The Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the “White Helmets,” reported that Lutfi Hassan Misto was killed by a missile strike on May 3. The strike occurred on the outskirts of Qurqaniya, north of Idlib. The humanitarian response group arrived at the scene just 10 minutes after a local resident alerted them about the strike. Additionally, Misto’s family members disputed the U.S. claims of terrorist connections.

Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Chris van Hollen (D-MD), along with Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA), have sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, requesting information not only about the ongoing investigation but also about the decision-making process behind launching the investigation.

Concerns About Transparency and Credibility

The lawmakers expressed particular concern about CENTCOM Commander Gen. Erik Kurilla’s decision to publicly announce the strike on the same day it occurred, without confirming the identity of the victim. They argue that this undermined the credibility and commitment of the Department of Defense (DoD) and CENTCOM to preventing and responding to civilian harm.

The letter also references the Pentagon’s Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMR-AP) and emphasizes the need for answers regarding the implementation of this plan.

Previous Incidents and Reforms

The lawmakers highlighted previous incidents involving CENTCOM and civilian casualties. They mentioned a mistaken targeting of a civilian in Kabul, Afghanistan, in August 2021, as well as a 2019 drone strike in Baghuz, Syria, which resulted in numerous civilian deaths and was concealed from the public for over two years.

The investigators acknowledged recent reforms aimed at addressing confirmation bias within the military but raised concerns about the timeline of events surrounding the May 2023 strike. They questioned whether the DoD may still be affected by deadly confirmation bias and resistance to considering outside information.

The lawmakers also raised the possibility of a broader “systemic undercounting of civilian casualties” and referred to CENTCOM’s public statements on the strikes as evidence.

Overall, the Democratic lawmakers are demanding transparency and accountability from the Department of Defense regarding the drone strike investigation and the prevention of civilian casualties.

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