Former Operator Speaks Out: \u201cNo Consequences for Civilian Deaths\u201d
A 2021 U.S. drone strike in Kabul that killed 10 civilians, including seven children, resulted in zero disciplinary actions for military personnel, according to a New York Times report. Former U.S. Army drone pilot Brandon Bryant, who conducted hundreds of missions across conflict zones, calls this incident emblematic of systemic failures in holding the military accountable for civilian casualties.
From Operator to Whistleblower
Bryant, deployed between 2005-2011, describes drone warfare as \u201ca video game with real-life consequences.\u201d He reveals operators often lacked clear visibility of targets, leading to preventable civilian deaths. After leaving service, Bryant faced severe PTSD and now advocates for transparency, stating: \u201cThere’s no mechanism to punish these errors – only incentives to hide them.\u201d
The Human Cost of Remote Warfare
UN reports estimate U.S. drone strikes caused up to 48,000 civilian deaths globally since 2001. Bryant emphasizes that the Kabul case – where victims were initially misidentified as ISIS fighters – underscores flawed intelligence practices. \u201cWe’re creating more enemies by refusing to acknowledge our mistakes,\u201d he warns.
A Call for Reform
Military analysts note that only 12% of U.S. drone strike investigations from 2015-2020 led to policy changes. As AI-driven warfare expands, Bryant urges accountability frameworks: \u201cWithout consequences, this cycle will keep harming innocent lives – and the soldiers ordered to pull the trigger.\u201d
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Ex Drone Pilot: No one is ever punished for civilians' casualties
cgtn.com
