U.S. Central Command on Wednesday evening said it believes civilians were accidentally killed as a result of a Navy SEAL raid in Yemen on Jan. 29.
“A team designated by the operational task force commander has concluded regrettably that civilian non-combatants were likely killed in the midst of a firefight during a raid in Yemen Jan. 29. Casualties may include children,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
The number of civilians who were wounded and killed in the attack is unknown. CENTCOM said the individuals were “caught up” in aerial gunfire after “armed women” opened fire on U.S. troops during the raid.
“Al-Qa-ida in the Arabian Peninsula has a horrifying history of hiding women and children within militant operating areas and terrorist camps, and continuously shows a callous disregard for innocent lives,” said Col. John J. Thomas, spokesman for CENTCOM.
“That’s what makes cases like these so especially tragic.”
CENTCOM is investigating whether there were casualties in the attack that killed Navy SEAL Team Chief Special Warfare Operator William “Ryan” Owens and left three others injured.
BREAKING: @CENTCOM says civilians were likely killed during Navy SEAL raid in Yemen on Jan. 29. “Casualties may include children.” pic.twitter.com/WOK6ohGUz6
— W.J. Hennigan (@wjhenn) February 2, 2017
