A Disturbing Pattern
A recent report from The Intercept sheds light on the United States' approach to war and its impact on innocent civilians. Regardless of the political justifications behind these wars, many civilians have been killed or injured, raising ethical and legal concerns about these attacks.
A Century of Disregard
Writer Nick Torres provides examples of this disturbing pattern. He recounts an incident from about a century ago when US Marines, flying in an old-fashioned armed plane, mistakenly fired upon a group of civilian men in Nicaragua who were simply cutting grass and trimming trees. The US military did not bother to count the wounded and dead.
More recently, just two years ago, American forces fired a missile at a man driving his car in Kabul, Afghanistan, believing him to be a terrorist. Tragically, this attack resulted in the death of the man and nine other civilians, including seven children.
Throughout the past century, the US military has consistently shown a disregard for civilian lives. Ordinary people have been misidentified as enemies, and the harm caused to civilians has gone uninvestigated and unpunished.
A Stark Contrast
These practices sharply contrast with the US government's public campaigns to portray its wars as benevolent, its air campaigns as precise, and its concern for civilians as paramount. The deaths of innocent civilians are often dismissed as tragic anomalies.
A History of Atrocities
The writer highlights some historical examples to illustrate this contradiction. During World War II, American forces attacked 67 cities in Japan, resulting in the deaths of over 600,000 civilians and leaving 8.5 million homeless. Secretary of War Henry Stimson even expressed concern that the US would be seen as surpassing Hitler in atrocities.
However, the US went on to drop nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing an estimated 140,000 and 70,000 people, respectively, most of whom were civilians.
In the Korean War, General Douglas MacArthur declared his intention to destroy every city and village in North Korea. Air Force General Curtis LeMay later boasted about the US killing over a million Korean civilians and displacing millions more.
During the Vietnam War, South Vietnam was left with millions of craters, and US attacks in neighboring Cambodia resulted in the deaths of up to 150,000 civilians. Laos became the most bombed country in history, per capita, with over two million tons of munitions dropped by the US.
Israel's Example
The writer also notes that Israeli officials have justified their attacks on Gaza by citing the methods used by the US and its allies during World War II.
Air Strikes Gone Wrong
Examining the American air war in Somalia, the writer explains that strikes are supposed to be launched only after ensuring the absence of civilians and the presence of the intended target. However, this protocol is often not followed.
According to an analysis conducted by Airwars in 2021, the US carried out over 91,000 airstrikes in seven major conflict areas between 2001 and 2021, resulting in the deaths of more than 48,000 civilians.
Lack of Accountability
A study published in 2020 found that most incidents of civilian casualties since September 11 had not been properly investigated. Military witnesses are interviewed, while civilians are largely ignored.
Advocates for civilian survivors and their families argue that it is unacceptable for them to struggle to obtain recognition and support from the US government. Urgent amendments and consultations with victims are needed.
Source: The Intercept
