Fact Check: The Army has quietly shuttered a short-lived Defense Department office dedicated to safeguarding civilians in conflict zones, less than two years after its founding.

Fact Check: "The Army has quietly shuttered a short-lived Defense Department office dedicated to safeguarding civilians in conflict zones, less than two years after its founding."

What We Know

The claim centers around the recent actions taken by the U.S. Army regarding a Defense Department office aimed at protecting civilians in conflict zones. Reports indicate that the Army is planning to eliminate this office, which was established as part of a broader initiative to mitigate civilian harm during military operations. This initiative was formalized through the release of the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMR-AP) in August 2022, which outlined steps to enhance the Department of Defense's (DoD) efforts in this area (source-2, source-5).

The office in question was part of a larger strategy to implement the CHMR-AP, which aimed to standardize practices across military services for civilian harm mitigation (source-1). However, as of January 2025, reports suggest that the Army intends to close this office, which raises questions about the future of civilian protection initiatives within the military (source-7, source-8).

Analysis

The assertion that the Army has shuttered a short-lived office dedicated to civilian protection is supported by credible news sources, including the New York Times and the Washington Post, which confirm plans to eliminate the office less than two years after its establishment (source-7, source-8). This suggests that the claim is accurate regarding the closure of the office.

However, it is essential to note that the closure of this specific office does not necessarily indicate a complete abandonment of civilian protection efforts by the DoD. The CHMR-AP remains in effect, and the recent policy changes are part of a broader strategy to enhance civilian harm mitigation across military operations (source-2). The implications of this closure could reflect a shift in priorities or resources within the Army, which may affect the implementation of civilian protection policies.

The reliability of the sources reporting on this matter is generally high, as they are established news organizations with a history of covering defense and military issues. However, the framing of the closure may vary, with some sources potentially emphasizing the negative implications more than others.

Conclusion

The claim that "the Army has quietly shuttered a short-lived Defense Department office dedicated to safeguarding civilians in conflict zones, less than two years after its founding" is Partially True. While it accurately reflects the reported plans to close the office, it does not fully capture the ongoing efforts and policies related to civilian harm mitigation that remain in place under the CHMR-AP. Thus, while the office's closure is a significant development, it does not signify an end to all initiatives aimed at protecting civilians in conflict zones.

Fact Check: The Army has quietly shuttered a short-lived Defense Department office dedicated to safeguarding civilians in conflict zones, less than two years after its founding.