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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Lisa Mascaro

Pentagon knew boat attack left survivors but still launched a follow-on strike, AP sources say

Trump - (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The Pentagon knew there were survivors after a September attack on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean Sea and the U.S. military still carried out a follow-up strike, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The rationale for the second strike was that it was needed to sink the vessel, according to the people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss it publicly. The Trump administration says all 11 people aboard were killed.

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