US Acknowledges Mistakenly Killing Syrian Civilian in 2023 Drone Strike

The US Department of Defense has admitted to mistakenly killing a 56-year-old Syrian shepherd, Lufti Hasan Masto, in a drone strike on May 3, 2023, that was intended to target a senior al-Qaeda leader. The Pentagon's acknowledgment comes nearly a year after the botched attack, following the completion of an internal investigation by US Central Command (CENTCOM) in November 2023.

Why this matters: This incident highlights the ongoing concerns about civilian casualties in US military operations and the need for greater transparency and accountability. This incident highlights the ongoing concerns about civilian casualties in US military operations and the need for greater transparency and accountability. It also emphasizes the importance of improving targeting processes to prevent such mistakes, which can have significant consequences for local populations and international relations.

The investigation, led by Army Brig. Gen. Gen. John Cogbill, concluded that US forces misidentified Masto to be the intended target, resulting in his death. While the strike was deemed to have complied with the laws of armed conflict and relevant policies, CENTCOM acknowledged that"several issues that could be improved"were revealed during the probe. However, much of the investigation remains classified, with few details publicly disclosed.

In a statement, CENTCOM expressed regret for the civilian harm caused by the airstrike, emphasizing its commitment to learning from the incident and improving targeting processes to mitigate potential civilian casualties. "U.S. Central Command acknowledges and regrets the civilian harm that resulted from the airstrike," the statement read. "We are committed to learning from this incident and improving our targeting processes to mitigate potential civilian harm."

The incident came to light after a Washington Post story on May 18, 2023, revealed that Masto's family members had identified him being the man killed in the strike. Initially confident in the success of the operation, Pentagon officials later expressed uncertainty about the outcome by mid-May. The military's investigation was launched in June 2023, about a month after the Post's report.

The mistaken killing of Masto is not an isolated incident. In recent years, the US has faced criticism for civilian casualties resulting from airstrikes in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. A particularly tragic case occurred in August 2021, when a drone strike in Kabul killed 10 civilians, including seven children, who were mistaken for Islamic State-Khorasan group terrorists.

In response to growing concerns over civilian harm, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin released a"Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan"in 2022, aimed at improving the military's ability to avoid civilian casualties. Austin emphasized the importance of this issue, stating, "The protection of civilians is a strategic priority and a moral imperative."

Despite the Pentagon's pledge to reduce civilian casualties and increase transparency, critics argue that the limited information disclosed by the military makes it difficult to assess the full extent of the problem and whether US personnel acted recklessly. Priyanka Motaparthy, director of the Project on Armed Conflict Counterterrorism and Human Rights at Columbia Law School, called the military's response inadequate, particularly given the apparent confusion between Masto and the intended target.

The tragic loss of Lufti Hasan Masto's life highlights the urgent need for more effective measures to prevent civilian casualties and ensure greater accountability when mistakes occur. US counterterrorism operations in Syria and other regions continue, with CENTCOM's acknowledgment of responsibility and commitment to improvement being steps in the right direction.

Key Takeaways

• US admits to mistakenly killing 56-year-old Syrian shepherd in drone strike.
• Intended target was senior al-Qaeda leader, but US forces misidentified victim.
• CENTCOM investigation found "issues that could be improved" in targeting process.
• Incident highlights ongoing concerns about civilian casualties in US military ops.
• Pentagon pledges to learn from incident and improve targeting to mitigate harm.