Mapping US Drone and Islamic Militant Attacks in Pakistan: Secret War, BBC News, 22 July 2010
EXCERPT: "In recent years, with the absence of decisive Pakistani military action in the area, America decided the best way to kill those deemed a risk to US security was by firing missiles at them from unmanned aircraft. The use of these planes in the tribal areas of Pakistan began under the watch of President George W Bush, but has increased markedly since his successor Barack Obama took office. [...] One resident, Sher Ahmad Wazir, from Mir Ali in North Waziristan, said: 'I'm against the drone attacks because a lot of civilians die. What does America want from us? Our government should not side with the Americans.' But Zahid (not his real name), from Wana, in South Waziristan, said: 'I think the drone strikes are good: they target the right people, the terrorists.' Bahar Wazir, from Shawal, North Waziristan, said: 'I prefer the drone attacks to army ground operations, because in the operations we get killed and the [Pakistani] army doesn't respect the honour of our men or women.' [...] The Taliban admit that the drone attacks have disrupted their operations. 'In the short term, yes, you can say it has caused us some difficulties because of the martyrdoms and realignment of our ranks,' says a Taliban spokesman, Muhammed Umer. 'But our command and control system is very strong and well established, so we won't be affected for long,' he adds. 'Instead we get new courage, becoming more powerful with the flow of new blood.'"
Read the full story.
Related articles:
Taliban says US drone attacks "temporarily" hindering insurgency, The
Guardian, 23 July 2010
Mapping US drone and Islamic militant attacks in Pakistan [graphs and maps], BBC News, 22 July 2010
Pakistan's drone dilemma, DAWN, 18 July 2010
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Drone attacks justified: US legal adviser, 26 March 2010
Drone attacks: Pakistan’s policy and the tribesmen’s perspective, 12 March 2010
