Overview
- U.S. Southern Command said a Dec. 4 strike in the eastern Pacific destroyed a fast boat and killed four men, releasing edited video and noting the action was directed by War Secretary Pete Hegseth.
- The operation is the 22nd strike since early September, bringing the reported death toll to at least 87 as the maritime campaign continues during mounting oversight.
- Adm. Frank Bradley told lawmakers he received no 'kill them all' order, yet members who viewed classified footage split over whether the Sept. 2 follow-up hit shipwrecked survivors or an ongoing threat.
- Committees are seeking the Justice Department OLC opinion, written execute orders and unedited video, with lawmakers noting the OLC memo was signed Sept. 5 and key JAG officers did not see it until mid‑November.
- Legal experts warn that attacking incapacitated or shipwrecked people could violate the laws of armed conflict and potentially constitute war crimes.