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Does an apology make it acceptable to kill innocent children? | ticker VIEWS
The United States military apologises for mistakenly killing innocent Afghan civilians, including children, in its recent drone strike
U.S. Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of United States Central Command, is calling the drone strike a “tragic mistake” and says innocent civilians were the victims.
The U.S. military thought it had targeted an Islamic State group’s “facilitator” and diminished an imminent terror threat as it withdrew from Afghanistan.
The US military got it devastatingly wrong, killing ten innocent members of a family, including seven children.
“I offer my profound condolences, It was a mistake and I offer my sincere apology.”
FRAnk mckenzie- head of u.s central command
Is an apology enough?
The head of the U.S Central Command has issued an apology. Although, questions immediately emerge on how an apology can ever be sufficient for taking the lives of innocent people.
The world of terror changed after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The members of the extremist group responsible were immediately labelled terrorists. The leaders of the group were hunted down, as they should be.
However, it seems ironic when America “accidentally” takes the lives of innocent civilians, that an apology is supposed to make the chilling miscalculation acceptable.
“America has suffered a black mark on its reputation. This will have affects for a long time to come.”
Bruce wolpe- u.s studies centre
Accountablity for killing innocent civilians
The drone strike killed a longtime aid worker for a U.S group, including two other adults and seven children.
The U.S intelligence was wrong by assuming the aid worker was an imminent terror threat. They decimated the car in front of loved ones and onlookers.
Reports suggest the military is exploring compensation payments for the families of the victims. However, compensation will never bring back their loved ones.
The latest grim miscalculation calls into question the reliability of U.S. intelligence and the safeguards in the controls over the use of lethal drones by the U.S. worldwide.
It casts doubt on the Biden administration’s ability to target threats without a U.S. footprint. There have been no talks if any individuals will be held to account.
This horrible mistake killed innocent people who supported America. Protocols must change to prevent this from ever happening again.
A lasting thought, does this make America terrorists too? According to definition, no.
“Terrorism is defined as trying to change the way of life in a country, and unfortunately the drone attack doesn’t fit that definition.”
oz sultan- counterterrorism analyst