In May 2023, a U.S. airstrike in Syria intended to target an al-Qaida leader resulted in the tragic death of an innocent civilian, Mr. Lufti Hasan Masto. The U.S. Central Command confirmed the misidentification of the target, acknowledging that Masto was struck and killed in the attack.
Initial reports from residents and family members following the strike indicated that the victim was a farmer who had no ties to armed groups. Masto, a 60-year-old shepherd, was reportedly tending to his sheep when the drone strike hit, causing outrage among his relatives and neighbors.
The investigation into the incident was completed in November but was only made public on Thursday. While many details of the investigation remain classified, the Central Command admitted that there were areas for improvement in their targeting processes to prevent civilian casualties in the future.
Despite the tragic outcome, Central Command stated that the strike was carried out in compliance with the law of armed conflict and relevant Department of Defense and CENTCOM policies. The Defense Department has faced criticism in the past for civilian casualties resulting from airstrikes and has implemented a thorough investigation and review process to address such incidents.
The U.S. continues its efforts to target al-Qaida and Islamic State leaders in Syria, emphasizing the importance of precision and accuracy in conducting airstrikes. Notable past operations include the 2017 airstrike that eliminated Abu al-Kheir al-Masri, a key figure within al-Qaida's ranks in Syria.
