View of Pentagon Photo: VCGThe US used a secret aircraft that painted to look like a civilian plane in a military operation that killed 11 people last September, it was exposed by the New York Times on Monday. A Chinese expert said on Tuesday that, if the case turns out to be true, using aircraft in civilian disguise for military operations violates international law, and it is an immoral behavior that could severely undermine the international order of civilian aviation. The expert also warned all parties to raise vigilance, as the case further exposed the US’ recklessness in resorting to foul means in military operations.Citing officials briefed on the matter, the New York Times reported that the Pentagon used a secret aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane in its first attack on a boat that the Trump administration claimed was smuggling drugs, killing 11 people last September. The aircraft also carried its munitions inside the fuselage, rather than visibly under its wings, they said.But the laws of armed conflict prohibit combatants from feigning civilian status to fool adversaries into dropping their guard, then attacking and killing them. But the Pentagon insisted in a statement that its arsenal has undergone legal review for compliance with the laws of armed conflict, the New York Times reported, noting that the White House did not respond to a request for comment.It is not clear what the aircraft was.

Source: International New York Times January 13, 2026 06:35 UTC