The strike, which took place in Syria, was announced by CENTCOM in May 2023 as having targeted "a senior Al Qaeda leader." However, this claim was subsequently retracted by military officials after the family of Lofti Hassan Misto, a 56-year-old former bricklayer and shepherd, asserted that he was the casualty, as reported by The Washington Post. CENTCOM's investigation concluded that "U.S. forces misidentified the intended Al Qaeda target and that a civilian" was the unfortunate victim.
The press release from CENTCOM stated, "Many of the facts and other findings of the investigation involve classified information and cannot be shared publicly." It further clarified that the investigation found the strike to be in compliance with the law of armed conflict, as well as Department of Defense and CENTCOM policies.
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The statement also acknowledged room for improvement, stating, "The investigation revealed several issues that could be improved. We are committed to learning from this incident and improving our targeting processes to mitigate potential civilian harm."
The investigation was ordered by General Michael Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM commander, in June 2023 and was completed in November. The probe involved ten senior service members and civilian employees who were not directly involved with the strike.
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The press release also expressed regret over the civilian casualty, stating, "U.S. Central Command acknowledges and regrets the civilian harm that resulted from the airstrike." It emphasized the seriousness with which U.S. military operations take reports of civilian harm and their commitment to thorough and deliberate targeting and strike processes to minimize civilian harm.
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When approached for comment, the Department of Defense directed the Daily Caller News Foundation to CENTCOM, who did not immediately respond. This incident underscores the complexities and challenges of modern warfare, where the line between combatant and civilian can often blur, leading to tragic consequences.
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