Top lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties are calling for the release of video footage related to a controversial US military strike on a boat in the Caribbean that allegedly carried drugs. The incident, which occurred on September 2, resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals, including two survivors of an initial airstrike. The discussions in Congress have raised significant concerns regarding the legality and ethics of the military's actions.

Congressional Briefing
On Thursday, US Navy Admiral Frank Bradley and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine provided a closed briefing to the House and Senate armed services and intelligence committees. During this session, they presented video footage and discussed the details of the attack. Lawmaker Jim Himes, the leading Democrat on the House armed services committee, expressed his alarm, stating that the briefing revealed troubling aspects of the operation. He confirmed that Admiral Bradley denied any orders were given to kill survivors, countering reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had issued a "kill them all" directive.

Differing Perspectives
While Himes highlighted the distressing nature of the footage he viewed, Republican Senator Tom Cotton defended the military's actions, referring to them as "righteous strikes." Cotton asserted that Admiral Bradley was clear in stating that no explicit orders were given to kill all individuals on board the vessel. The contrasting views among lawmakers underscore a deepening divide over the appropriateness of the military's response to perceived threats from drug trafficking.

Legal and Ethical Concerns
The airstrike has sparked bipartisan concern regarding potential war crimes. The initial attack was part of a broader campaign against boats allegedly transporting drugs from Venezuela to the United States, a claim that has been met with skepticism from experts. Critics argue that the legality of the air campaign is questionable, particularly in light of the deaths of defenseless individuals. Himes noted that the footage depicted “two individuals in clear distress” who were unable to escape their damaged vessel.

Call for Video Release
The lack of transparency surrounding the incident has prompted calls for the Pentagon to release the complete video of the operation. Former President Donald Trump, who shared the initial strike footage on his Truth Social platform, has pledged to make the entire video public. However, the Pentagon has yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter.

Wrap-up
As the situation unfolds, the demands for accountability and transparency from US lawmakers reflect broader concerns about military conduct and the implications of military operations on international law. The release of the full video may provide critical insights into the events surrounding the boat strike and the subsequent actions taken by US forces.

Sources
theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team