Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command and the officer overseeing the operation, told lawmakers that intelligence officials had confirmed the identities of everyone on board before the strike.
“All of them were validated as legitimate targets,” Bradley reportedly told members of Congress during closed-door briefings.
The internal list referenced in the briefings includes individuals designated as eligible for lethal action if an opportunity arises. Officials say the vessel was allegedly carrying cocaine and linked to a cartel that had been formally designated by the president as a terrorist organization.
A Second Strike on Narco-terrorists
The operation became especially controversial after reports surfaced that the military launched a second strike following the initial airstrike, which reportedly left two survivors in the water.
Lawmakers have questioned whether that follow-up strike violated international law, particularly rules governing distinction and proportionality in armed conflict. Whether Pete Hegseth explicitly directed Adm. Bradley to ensure that no one survived has been a central issue in the ongoing controversy.
