US strike on an alleged drug boat kills 2, leaves 6 survivors

The U.S. military carried out another strike on a suspected drug-smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific, killing two people and leaving six survivors.

The operation is part of an ongoing campaign that has now resulted in more than 60 strikes and over 210 deaths since September.

U.S. officials say the boats are linked to “narcoterrorists,” but critics argue there is little evidence and question the legality and effectiveness of the strikes.

Some lawmakers have demanded release of full video footage, especially after reports that survivors in a previous strike were killed in a follow-up attack, the AP has reported.

The Pentagon’s watchdog is reviewing aspects of the targeting process, though not the broader legal justification for the campaign.