Abdulrahman Khaled, a 20-year-old Iraqi student, tragically lost his life in US airstrikes near the Iraq-Syria border. His family holds the United States accountable for his death, believing it resulted from secondary explosions after strikes targeted houses allegedly used by an Iranian-backed militia for weapon storage.
Abdulrahman’s brother recounts the harrowing events, questioning why civilians weren’t warned beforehand.
Following the airstrikes, chaos ensued as rockets hit nearby houses. Abdulrahman, checking on their father, was fatally struck by a stray rocket. The family, shattered by his loss, remembers him fondly as a cherished member who always lent a helping hand.
The airstrikes, retaliating against an attack on a US military outpost, resulted in civilian casualties. Abdulrahman’s death stands as the sole civilian casualty among several others. This raises concerns about the lack of warnings to civilians and demands accountability for civilian lives lost.
The Iraqi government condemned the US airstrikes as an encroachment on Iraq’s sovereignty. It criticized the US for its lack of transparency, refuting claims that it was informed before the strikes. The US administration acknowledged its error in stating that Iraqi officials were notified beforehand, apologizing for the confusion caused.
US President Joe Biden warned of further military responses to the earlier drone attack. However, the Iraqi government cautioned against such actions, fearing heightened instability in the region.
Abdulrahman’s tragic death underscores the devastating toll of military conflicts on innocent civilians. His family’s demand for accountability resonates amid the broader debate surrounding military actions and their consequences.
