The Pentagon knew there were survivors after a September 2 attack on a boat in the Caribbean Sea but proceeded with a follow-up strike that killed them, according to a bombshell Associated Press report citing two anonymous sources. The revelation has ignited a political firestorm in Washington, raising profound questions about the US military's rules of engagement and accountability.

This incident is the latest crisis for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is now facing intense scrutiny from US lawmakers. The core issue is whether the second strike, allegedly aimed at sinking the vessel, violated international laws of armed conflict which protect shipwrecked or wounded combatants. For Kenyans, this raises familiar concerns about the conduct of powerful security forces and the crucial need for transparency in military operations.

A Strike in Two Waves

The incident unfolded on September 2, 2025, as part of a broader, aggressive US campaign against alleged narcoterrorists in the region. After an initial strike crippled the vessel, the Pentagon was reportedly aware that people had survived. Despite this, a second strike was ordered. The Trump administration has since stated that all 11 people aboard were killed.

Secretary Hegseth has defended the action, describing it as emerging from the “fog of war” and stating the commander on the scene, Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley, “made the right call.” However, legal experts and several lawmakers argue that attacking survivors is a violation of peacetime laws and the laws of armed conflict. The US government has controversially declared it is in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, a move not formally authorized by the US Congress.

Political Storm Gathers in Washington

The fallout has been swift and severe. Key political figures are demanding answers and accountability:

• Democratic Senator Mark Warner has called for Hegseth's resignation or removal from office.
• Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski has reiterated that the Defense Secretary does not have her support.
• Congressional committees have launched investigations into the strike to determine its legality.

This controversy is compounded by a separate Pentagon inspector general report, which found that Hegseth violated department policy by using the Signal messaging app for sensitive official business, putting US personnel at risk. Hegseth declined to be interviewed for that investigation.

While details from a classified congressional briefing are awaited, the incident puts a sharp focus on the immense power wielded by global military forces. The question of how nations conduct warfare—and how they hold themselves accountable—is a matter of global concern, resonating from the Caribbean Sea to the streets of Nairobi.