The Daily How the U.S. Hid a Deadly Airstrike
Nov 15, 2021
Dave Philipps, a national correspondent for The New York Times specializing in military affairs, delves into a chilling incident from March 2019. An American F-15 mistakenly bombed civilians in Syria, resulting in nearly 70 deaths. The conversation reveals the internal struggles faced by military personnel witnessing this tragedy. A military lawyer escalated concerns of a potential war crime, exposing flaws in accountability and investigation protocols. The episode raises pressing questions about transparency and oversight in U.S. military operations.
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The Airstrike
- In March 2019, an American F-15 jet bombed a group of women and children in Syria, resulting in around 70 casualties.
- An Air Force lawyer, Dean Corsak, witnessed the strike and deemed it a potential war crime.
Initial Response
- Dean Corsak reported the strike to his superiors and the Air Force's Office of Special Investigations.
- The investigators refused to investigate unless the incident gained significant media attention.
Inspector General's Investigation
- Corsak reported the strike to the Department of Defense Inspector General's office.
- Eugene Tate, an investigator, reviewed the evidence and corroborated Corsak's account.