A recent airstrike conducted by the U.S. military in northwest Syria in 2023, initially targeting a senior Al Qaeda leader, has been revealed to have actually resulted in the death of a civilian farmer.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for overseeing U.S. operations in the Middle East, had initially reported on May 3, 2023, that a strike had been carried out targeting an Al Qaeda member. However, subsequent reports indicated that the victim was Lotfi Hassan Misto, a 56-year-old father of 10 children, who was killed while tending to his sheep in a field near the town of Qorqanya.
After allegations arose regarding the civilian casualty, CENTCOM reevaluated the strike and confirmed almost a year later that Mr. Misto had indeed been the unintended target of the operation.
According to a press statement released by CENTCOM, the investigation determined that U.S. forces had mistakenly identified Mr. Misto as an Al Qaeda target, leading to his tragic death.
While specific details of the misidentification were not disclosed, CENTCOM stated that the strike was in compliance with the laws of armed conflict and internal policies, but highlighted areas for potential improvement.
The investigative team concluded their work on November 15, 2023, although the findings were only made public recently. CENTCOM expressed regret for the civilian harm caused and emphasized their commitment to enhancing targeting processes to prevent such incidents in the future.
Civilian casualties have been a recurring issue in U.S.-led military interventions, including incidents in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. Previous reviews of airstrikes resulting in civilian deaths have led to reassessments of military tactics and procedures.
In light of these incidents, the Department of Defense has issued new guidelines for mitigating civilian harm and responding appropriately in cases of civilian casualties. The importance of acknowledging fault, extending condolences, and providing compensation for damages has been underscored in the updated guidance.
Please rephrase this sentence.
Source link
