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Democrats Seek Answers After Deadly U.S. Troop Strike in Kuwait
More than 20 members of Congress are seeking public hearings into reported failures surrounding a deadly Iranian drone strike on U.S. troops in Kuwait, including questions about force protection, medical care and the military’s handling of the aftermath.
(U.S. Army photo by Joseph Kumzak)
On March 1, an Iranian drone struck a U.S. tactical operations center at Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, killing six Army soldiers and injuring more than 30 other service members. The attack came just days after the start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
The latest questions center on whether the troops could have been placed somewhere safer before the attack.
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A CBS News investigation reported September 24 that Army intelligence had identified Port Shuaiba as a potential Iranian target as early as January. In the days before Operation Epic Fury began, relocation options in western Saudi Arabia were reportedly examined, including Logistics Support Area Jenkins near Yanbu and Prince Sultan Air Base near Riyadh.
According to sources cited by CBS, those options were presented to the leadership of the 103rd Sustainment Command, but the unit ultimately remained at Port Shuaiba. Brig. Gen. Clint Barnes, who commanded the unit, has not publicly responded to the allegations. The Army also declined to comment on the specific claims.
After the strike, survivors and lawmakers raised additional concerns about the base’s defenses and emergency response. Some survivors told CBS that they lacked adequate medical personnel and supplies and had to treat casualties themselves before using civilian vehicles to reach Kuwaiti hospitals.
Questions also emerged about the treatment of injured troops after the attack. Lawmakers cited reports that some wounded service members faced delays in evacuation and medical treatment, while some survivors with traumatic brain injuries reportedly waited months to see specialists.
The Army completed its investigation into the attack in early July, according to the Army, but the findings have not been released publicly or provided to Congress. Lawmakers have also questioned the independence of the investigation because its initial investigator was a public affairs officer under the command of a general who was present during the attack.
On September 22, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Pat Ryan led more than 20 Democrats from both chambers in asking the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to hold public hearings. They are seeking answers about the reported preparedness problems, the treatment of survivors and families, and the military investigation.
The Pentagon has not publicly addressed the specific allegations, saying it would respond directly to the lawmakers. Earlier, Pentagon officials maintained that measures had been taken to protect troops at the site.
More than six months after the attack, the central questions remain unresolved: why Port Shuaiba remained the chosen location despite reported intelligence warnings, whether the available defenses were adequate, and whether wounded troops and their families received the support required after the strike.
Editor’s Note: The reported force-protection failures, medical-care problems and concerns about the Army investigation remain allegations raised by survivors, whistleblowers, lawmakers and media investigations. The Pentagon and Army have not publicly released the completed investigation or provided a full public account addressing all of these claims. This article does not present the allegations as established findings.
