Survivors killed in follow-up strike captured on video, causing concern among lawmakers

A US Navy admiral who directed military strikes on a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean told lawmakers that no order was ever given to eliminate all individuals on board. However, footage of the operation has raised serious concerns as Congress examines the mission in which two surviving crew members were killed.

Adm. Frank Bradley appeared before lawmakers as they investigated claims that on September 2 he approved a second strike on the wrecked boat in response to demands from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. According to video shown to Congress and described by sources familiar with the recording, an airburst munition detonated above the vessel, which carried eleven people. When the smoke cleared, two survivors were seen clinging to debris for nearly an hour as they attempted to right the overturned boat. They appeared unarmed, shirtless and without communication gear.

Sources told Reuters that Bradley, then commander of the Joint Special Operations Command, believed the wreckage could stay afloat due to the cocaine on board and might drift long enough to be retrieved. He therefore approved a second strike to eliminate what he assessed as a remaining threat. The video reportedly shows three additional munitions fired at the disabled craft.

The White House and Hegseth have both denied issuing any directive to kill all personnel, despite earlier reporting that suggested otherwise.

Sen. Tom Cotton, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, defended the operation, calling the mission lawful and the strikes justified. After a classified briefing, he argued that military leaders carried out their duties appropriately and that the survivors had been attempting to continue their mission by trying to right the drug laden vessel.

Democratic lawmakers strongly disagreed after viewing the video. Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, described the recording as deeply troubling and said it clearly showed American forces targeting individuals who posed no danger. He stated that the two survivors were in severe distress and lacked both the means and the intent to resume their mission.

Sen. Jack Reed said he was also disturbed and urged the Defense Department to release the footage to the public. The Departments Law of War manual prohibits attacks on shipwrecked or incapacitated combatants who are not engaging in hostilities or attempting to flee, noting that firing on such survivors is an example of an order that is clearly unlawful.

US officials have framed the strikes as part of an ongoing conflict with drug cartels, describing them as armed groups transporting narcotics to harm Americans.

Author: Maya Henderson