"As we've said from the beginning, and in every statement, these highly effective strikes are specifically intended to be 'lethal, kinetic strikes.' The declared intent is to stop lethal drugs, destroy narco-boats, and kill the narco-terrorists who are poisoning the American people. Every trafficker we kill is affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization." That was part of a message from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last Friday evening on the social platform X,"
"In his Friday message, apparently referring to article, Hegseth wrote, "As usual, the fake news is delivering more fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory reporting to discredit our incredible warriors fighting to protect the homeland." Hegseth went on to write that the attacks have been "lawful under both U.S. and international law, with all actions in compliance with the law of armed conflict," positions already being criticized and questioned before last week's story."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes were intended to be 'lethal, kinetic strikes' to stop drugs, destroy narco-boats, and kill narco-terrorists. Twenty-one boats have been struck and sunk since September 2, resulting in 83 deaths. A September 2 missile strike reportedly hit a boat carrying 11 passengers, leaving two survivors; a subsequent strike was reportedly ordered by Adm. Frank "Mitch" Bradley. Hegseth called reports that he ordered forces to 'kill everybody' fabricated and defamatory. Hegseth asserted the attacks are lawful under U.S. and international law and comply with the law of armed conflict. President Trump and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt publicly supported Hegseth's account.
Read at The Cipher Brief
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]