In September, a U.S. drone strike in Somalia killed Omar Abdillahi, a well-known clan leader local officials and residents say had supported the local government
This piece shows how “precision” warfare collapses the moment accountability disappears. If a well-known clan elder who met regularly with Puntland officials can be incinerated on a public road based on opaque intelligence, then the problem isn’t just a single bad strike—it’s a system that treats Somali lives as expendable. Transparency, due process, and reparations shouldn’t be radical demands.
After the Vietnam debacle, research was conducted on the effect of the US air bombardment on the war. It turned out that air bombardment was a huge factor in increasing support for the North Vietnamese in the war against the US and the South Vietnamese government, I.E., air strikes are counterproductive. Perhaps the US Air Force command should revisit that old study.
Two things I noticed. Targeting a leader who was negotiating seems like the patterns of assassinations of the Hamas lead negotiator and the last failed one in Qatar. Similarly to the Iranian negotiators this year.
I agree that I also see that as weapon testing on who to target and where. Israel used them to kill two brothers in Beirut in their shop and their home right above it back in Sept. 2024.
This piece shows how “precision” warfare collapses the moment accountability disappears. If a well-known clan elder who met regularly with Puntland officials can be incinerated on a public road based on opaque intelligence, then the problem isn’t just a single bad strike—it’s a system that treats Somali lives as expendable. Transparency, due process, and reparations shouldn’t be radical demands.
After the Vietnam debacle, research was conducted on the effect of the US air bombardment on the war. It turned out that air bombardment was a huge factor in increasing support for the North Vietnamese in the war against the US and the South Vietnamese government, I.E., air strikes are counterproductive. Perhaps the US Air Force command should revisit that old study.
Two things I noticed. Targeting a leader who was negotiating seems like the patterns of assassinations of the Hamas lead negotiator and the last failed one in Qatar. Similarly to the Iranian negotiators this year.
I agree that I also see that as weapon testing on who to target and where. Israel used them to kill two brothers in Beirut in their shop and their home right above it back in Sept. 2024.