U.S. drones in Pakistan: Both friend and foe
In the Waziristan province of Pakistan, a stronghold of the militant Taliban group, a U.S. drone killed more than 40 people and wounded dozens of others attending a funeral for a Pakistani who was killed earlier that day -- by a drone.
Though there are conflicting reports over whether these casualties were civilians or Taliban militant fighters mourning the death of their comrade-in-arms, the fact remains that such an attack on a funeral will have a backlash, no matter who was hit.
The drone, according to Reuters, was gunning for Baitullah Mehsud, leader of the Taliban movement and the alleged plotter behind the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Of course, he escaped unharmed -- a familiar tag line in these tales.
Though the drones -- pilotless, missile-packing aircraft that patrol Pakistan's treacherous terrain -- are amazingly capable of spotting and hitting their targets, doing so at a funeral is only fanning the flames. Funerals are no less important a ceremony to Muslims and Pakistanis as they are to Americans. Is desecrating such an important cultural occasion -- Taliban or not -- a smart thing for the United States to do?
While the drone's sortie Tuesday could be seen as making a dent in the Taliban militia, perhaps even more dangerous than the militia itself is the passionately angry sentiments that may come from such an attack -- and the retaliation that anger provokes.
--Catherine Lyons
Photo: Supporters of Islamic political party Jamat-e-Islami shout slogans in Peshawar Pakistan on April 24 during a protest against US drones attacks in Pakistan's tribal areas near the Afghan border. Credit: Arshad Arbab / EPA
Unfortunately, the CIA thinks they are so clever but in reality they are digging America in a deeper hole. Miles away in Afghanistan the US forces are and will continue to suffer defeat as the soviets did. If they enter Pakistani territory they will meet even more defeat. If they had some brains they would withdraw, yet they are bent on their global agenda no matter how ridiculously unattainable it is in reality.
Posted by: Timewilltell | June 24, 2009 at 08:55 PM
Baitullah Mehsud along with Abdul Malik Rigi have become the biggest threats for Pakistan, Iran and the stability of the region. It is more than intriguing that US Drones in the last seven years have never targetted these two "INTERNATIONAL" terrorists. Couting today's hit, it would the fourth in Bailtullah's area and all four have not done any real damage.
The other interesting fact is that the issue of US drones not attacking these two militants seems to be lacking on many of the prominent news, wiki, blog websites including the wikipedia. Only on regional news and wikis the fact remains.
For whatever reason these games are played, end result is innocent public is kiiled be that in Spain/UK/USA or Pakistan/Afghanistan/India. We need to find a solution rather than continuing blaming each other and supporting those who are bend on profitting from this.
Posted by: Adnan Khan | June 24, 2009 at 04:10 PM
The US is playing a double game in Pakistan. CIA is funding Baitullah Mehsud, the leader of the taliban and has not targeted him for more than 2 years even when CIA knew baitullah's location. Hence, baitullah is clearly an agent of CIA. The US needs to stop the drone attacks in Pakistan. Otherwise, it will backfire so bad that US will regret it but then it will be too late.
Posted by: Ahmed | June 24, 2009 at 10:52 AM
The drones violate Pakistan's law? Who cares? Their law outlaws drones but promotes violence against innocent people and treats women like dirt. Bomb the heck out of the whole country with nothing but drones and then send the drones to Iran and do the same thing. Those people over there are dirtbags with no respect for us blue eyed devils. We will have to teach them to respect us with our drones.
Posted by: dimphil | June 24, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Maybe the Pakistanis should be "passionately angry" at the Taliban insurgents that they're protecting in their neighborhoods. I'm really sick of the second guessers who don't have a clue. Please shut up and let the professionals execute the war stategy. They don't need your ignorant advice.
Posted by: John Tilsom | June 24, 2009 at 09:09 AM
Much of the protesting about the drone attacks initially came from Pakistanis in the settled and urban areas who weren't directly affected by the drone strikes. Those who actually suffered from the Taliban's brutality probably were a little more resigned to their fates and would probably welcome the elimination of the terrorists. Yes a funeral is a banal choice of targets but i t hink most common Pakistanis wouldn't attend the funeral of a known terrorist.
Posted by: akhan | June 24, 2009 at 08:51 AM
Meet the new boss...Same as the old boss...
Posted by: Madrid | June 24, 2009 at 08:49 AM
Moslem suicide bombers routinely target funerals full of fellow Moslems. I assume the US saw a tactical or strategic advantage in this particular operation.
Posted by: Otto1923 | June 24, 2009 at 08:42 AM
This is specifically for Catherine Lyons. Your comment that there is going to be a backlash because of this attack is ridiculous. Just what are they going to do ? Come out in the open and expose themselves to more drones ? I don't know where you get your military knowledge but try using a little common sense. SWC
Posted by: S.W. Cooper | June 24, 2009 at 08:39 AM
drone attacks are more terrorist acts committed by fascist amerika !
Posted by: tioche | June 24, 2009 at 08:29 AM