[jeshin]

I think their point was less to assign blame, but whether or not it was war related.

[themitigating]

The parent's use of "only after" doesn't sit right

It implies a forced (no choice) reaction to an unjust or unexpected cause. A more neutral tone would have just said "after"

"I ran from the police after they pulled me over for speeding"

"I ran from the police only after they pulled me over for speeding"

[s1artibartfast]

I think your example negates your point.

I don't read that as the speaker being forced to run, or that being pulled over was unjust.

It describes the order of operations. The fact that someone ran only after being pulled over could be very relevant.