The Latest: Legislators to receive testimony from Navy admiral responsible for ordering attack that resulted in deaths of boat strike survivors

The U.S. Navy admiral who allegedly gave orders for the military to target survivors of an attack on a suspected drug trafficking boat is set to appear before Congress on Thursday. Admiral Frank "Mitch" Bradley, currently the head of U.S. Special Operations Command, will deliver a classified briefing to top lawmakers overseeing national security matters. This briefing comes at a crucial time as the ongoing investigation by Congress looks into the military operation carried out in international waters near Venezuela and questions the legality of the strike.

The incident in question, which occurred in early September, has raised concerns about whether the follow-up attack, which reportedly targeted survivors, violated international law. Bradley's testimony is expected to provide key insights as lawmakers continue to scrutinize how Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth managed the operation.

Recent reports have revealed that, despite knowing there were survivors after the initial strike, the military proceeded with a second attack, citing the need to sink the vessel. There are still many unanswered questions about who authorized the attacks, particularly regarding Hegseth's involvement. These revelations have prompted increasing calls for transparency, with legal experts suggesting that the strike on the survivors could have violated peacetime laws and the rules of armed conflict.

The briefing from Bradley is seen as critical for lawmakers, who are working to understand whether the actions taken were justified and whether they fall within legal and ethical boundaries. The investigation into this controversial operation continues to unfold as Bradley prepares to speak with top members of both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, as well as the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Further details from the ongoing investigation are expected as lawmakers push for accountability in the wake of these troubling events.

Author: Gavin Porter