Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Top News
Top News
Politics

US Airstrike In Syria Kills Innocent Civilian Instead Of Target

Mohammed Hassan Masto sits next to the grave of his brother Lutfi on May 7, 2023, in the village of Qorqanya, a rural area in northern Idlib province, Syria. Central Command said Thursday, May

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.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.