A U.S. drone strike in Syria last year killed a 56-year-old shepherd after confusing him for a terrorist leader, an internal investigation concluded, underscoring the Pentagon’s persistent struggle to avoid unintentional casualties despite the Biden administration’s pledge to curb such incidents.
The new assessment by U.S. Central Command, which oversees American military activity throughout the Middle East, affirms a Washington Post investigation published a year ago that cast doubt on officials’ initial public claim to have slain a senior al-Qaeda figure. A summary of the investigation’s findings was provided to The Post ahead of an anticipated release later Thursday.
Imagine living that life, damn. Growing up to become a shepherd in Syria, with all the associated struggles and moments of peace, then one day you’re sitting out in a field and a drone from a country it would take your lifetime earnings to buy a ticket to obliterates you out of nowhere.