1. Washington Post investigation reveals US forces killed a shepherd in mistaken drone strike targeting al-Qaeda leader in Northwest Syria.
2. US Central Command admitted to misidentifying intended target and causing civilian death in May 2023 air strike.
3. US military acknowledged issues with the operation and expressed regret for the civilian harm caused, similar incidents have occurred in the past.
A Washington Post investigation revealed that US forces killed a shepherd in a drone strike after mistaking him for a top al-Qaeda official. The incident occurred in May 2023 in Northwest Syria. The US Central Command admitted that they misidentified the target and that a civilian, Mr. Lufti Hasan Masto, was mistakenly killed. Masto, a 56-year-old shepherd living in Qorqanya, was hit by a Hellfire missile fired by an American Predator drone behind his home.
The investigation conducted by Central Command revealed that there were “several issues” with the operation, although specific details were not provided. The strike was said to have been carried out in compliance with relevant policies and laws governing armed conflict. The botched drone strike was attributed to decision-making and accuracy issues among personnel, according to a defense official who spoke anonymously to The Washington Post.
This incident is not the first time the US military has mistakenly killed civilians in drone strikes. A similar incident occurred during the Afghanistan withdrawal when an aid worker and seven children were killed in a drone strike that was initially believed to have eliminated an imminent threat. None of the service members responsible for that strike were punished. The US Central Command expressed regret for the civilian harm caused by the airstrike and emphasized their commitment to minimizing civilian casualties in military operations.
Overall, the Washington Post investigation raised questions about the accuracy and accountability of US drone strikes in the war against terror.