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Staff Sgt. Herbert Smitley, a platoon sergeant from Waynesburgh, Pa., assigned to Company C, 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, meets with an Iraqi national police 2nd lieutenant with the 1st Bn., 5th Brigade, 2nd NP Division, at an Iraqi checkpoint during late night checkpoint inspections, Oct. 28
Photo: Sgt. 1st Class Brent Williams | Public domain | Wikimedia Commons

Eswatini Soldiers Accidentally Shoot Two U.S. Government Personnel At Roadblock

Eswatini soldiers accidentally shot two U.S. government personnel at a rural roadblock during a Friday night anti-smuggling operation, Eswatini's government reported late Monday, Sept. 14.[1]

Both Americans suffered minor injuries and were reported safe, and the U.S. State Department said it was cooperating with Eswatini on an investigation.[1] The shooting occurred in a rural area of northeastern Eswatini near a military roadblock, the government said.[1]

Eswatini's announcement late Monday said soldiers were conducting an anti-smuggling patrol when they set up the roadblock and the Americans were struck.[1] Officials called the shootings accidental and said they have launched a joint probe with U.S. counterparts.[1]

  1. CBS News
U.S. Foreign Policy and Diplomacy Military and Security Incidents
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📌 Key Facts

  • Eswatini’s government reported late Monday, September 14, 2026, that soldiers accidentally shot two U.S. government personnel during a Friday night anti-smuggling operation.
  • The incident occurred in a rural region in northeastern Eswatini near a military roadblock, and both Americans sustained minor injuries.
  • The U.S. State Department confirmed the personnel are safe and said it is cooperating with Eswatini on an investigation into the shooting.

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