Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a new military strike on a vessel allegedly smuggling narcotics, resulting in four fatalities and escalating a political row over the legality of such actions.
Strike Details and Escalating Toll
The incident occurred on Thursday in international waters within the Eastern Pacific, a region known for major drug trafficking routes. The target was a boat operated by a Designated Terrorist Organisation, which US officials confirmed was carrying illicit narcotics.
This latest action brings the total number of fatalities from such operations to 86. It follows a series of controversial "double tap" strikes, where a target is hit more than once in quick succession, the first of which were carried out on September 2.
Political Fallout and Defence
The strike was authorised shortly after Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley provided classified briefings to House and Senate committees regarding the previous September operations. The move has ignited a fierce debate in Washington.
Defending the decision, Secretary Hegseth stated the action was taken within "the fog of war" and insisted that Admiral Bradley acted "within his authority and the law." His stance was strongly backed by Republican Senator Tom Cotton, who described the boat strikes as "entirely lawful" and "not disturbing."
Democratic Condemnation and Troubling Footage
In stark opposition, senior Democratic lawmaker Jim Himes, the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, offered a scathing critique. After viewing footage of the strikes presented to lawmakers, Himes called it "one of the most troubling things I’ve seen in my time in public service."
The deep partisan divide highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding the US military's tactics in international counter-narcotics operations. With Hegseth firmly defending the strategy and key Democrats raising profound ethical and legal concerns, the debate over the use of force against alleged drug traffickers is set to intensify.
