Commander rejected plans to rebase farther from Iran before deadly drone strike, sources say
September 24, 2026 / 9:01 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- Brig. Gen. Clint Barnes rejected intelligence warnings and opted to move U.S. troops to Port of Shuaiba, Kuwait, instead of safer bases in Saudi Arabia.
- An Iranian drone attack on March 1, 2026, at Port of Shuaiba killed six U.S. service members and wounded more than 20.
- Survivors and families of the deceased allege strategic failures and a lack of preparedness, including insufficient medical resources.
- The Pentagon maintains that all possible measures were taken to safeguard troops and that the facility was fortified.
- Congressional Democrats are urging for investigative hearings into the attack and the subsequent care of survivors and families.
- An Army probe into the attack was completed in early July, but its findings have yet to be released.