Senator Angus King has called for the public release of the full video footage from a recent military operation in the Caribbean Sea, arguing that the killing of survivors from a boat strike may qualify as a war crime. During an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” King highlighted the urgency of transparency surrounding the incident, which involved a strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel.
On September 3, 2023, two missile strikes targeted a boat, resulting in the deaths of eleven individuals initially, followed by the deaths of two additional survivors during a second strike. Citing the U.S. Defense Department Manual of War, King stated that the act of killing shipwreck survivors aligns with a clear definition of a war crime. He emphasized that the public deserves access to the full video to assess the circumstances surrounding the strikes.
Host Mika Brzezinski referenced an account from The Atlantic, which reported a significant time gap of 40 minutes between the first and second strikes. The account suggested that the survivors were unarmed, and one of them appeared to signal surrender to military aircraft overhead. In response, King said, “We don’t have the facts yet… There have been a very limited number of members of Congress who have seen the video.”
King expressed concern over the limited access to the footage, noting that only a handful of lawmakers have been privy to the content. He criticized the Pentagon’s reluctance to release the video, pointing out that Pete Hegseth, who served as the Defense Secretary, had previously showcased part of the operation shortly after it occurred.
“It shouldn’t be behind closed doors to members of Congress,” King asserted. He reiterated the importance of public scrutiny, stating, “We need to see all of that. I want to see what Pete Hegseth’s initial order was and everything that transpired in between.”
Defense Secretary Hegseth has yet to confirm whether the Pentagon will release the complete video footage. The incident has sparked controversy, particularly regarding the justification of the second missile strike. Hegseth has maintained that the second strike was authorized by Adm. Frank ‘Mitch’ Bradley, but he has also faced criticism for the deaths of survivors.
Calls for transparency have come not only from King but also from other lawmakers. Rep. Adam Smith, a Democrat, has challenged the Republican narrative surrounding the operation and urged the release of the video to clarify the events. Meanwhile, Senator Tom Cotton, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has supported the public release of footage, aligning with efforts to combat drug smuggling in the region.
As the debate continues, the incident raises significant questions about military engagement rules and the ethical implications of targeting unarmed individuals in conflict situations. The push for transparency reflects a broader demand for accountability in military operations, particularly regarding actions that may violate established laws of war.
The public release of the full video could provide essential insights into the decision-making process during the operation and the circumstances leading to the tragic loss of life in the Caribbean Sea.
