The NPR Politics Podcast Man Wounded in US Raid On ISIS Head Says His Future Was Destroyed
Jul 25, 2023
Daniel Estrin, NPR international correspondent, dives deep into the fallout of a 2019 U.S. military raid targeting an ISIS leader. He reveals shocking discrepancies between official claims and survivor testimonies about civilian casualties. The discussion highlights the long-term consequences faced by affected families and the urgent need for reevaluating military practices to protect civilians. Estrin also addresses a Pentagon report that suggests a renewed commitment to minimizing such casualties, emphasizing the complexities and challenges that remain.
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Syrian Survivor's Account
- Barakat Ahmad Barakat, the sole survivor of a US airstrike in Syria, recounts the incident that killed his friends and left him severely disabled.
- He was driving home from work during the olive harvest when the van came under fire.
Military Decision-Making
- The military's decision to conduct a ground raid instead of an airstrike on Baghdadi's compound was influenced by the presence of 11 children.
- The van's continued movement after warning shots was the sole evidence of hostile intent, raising questions about the justification for the airstrike.
Lack of Military Investigation
- Despite the survivor's account and evidence presented by NPR, the military has not contacted the survivor or conducted a full investigation.
- Three US Congress members are calling for the Pentagon to reopen the case due to the flawed investigation.