Stephen Cohen
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http://www.dawn.com/news/1260840/us-drone-strikes-in-pakistan-see-631pc-increase-under-obama
US drone strikes in Pakistan see 631pc increase under Obama
Over 2,500 people have been killed in US drone strikes in Pakistan, of which at least 350 were civilians.
WAQAR MUHAMMAD KHAN UPDATED about 16 hours ago
The drone strike that killed Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Mansour in Balochistan earlier this week has once again strained Pak-US ties, with Pakistan terming the attack a 'violation of sovereignty' and the United States (US) vowing to continue targeting terrorists on Pakistani soil – if need be.
The US began carrying out drone strikes in 2001, after 9/11, under the administration of then president George W. Bush. Since then, the US has conducted 910 strikes in four countries ─ Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. Pakistan is at the top of this list, with 424 drone attacks since 2004.
Over 2,500 people have been killed in US drone strikes, of which at least 350 were civilians.
PAKISTAN TOP TARGET OF STRIKES
There have been 424 drone attacks in Pakistan from 2004-2016, according to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism.
DRONE STRIKES IN PAKISTAN
• 424 strikes since 2004
• 373 strikes under Obama govt
• Over 2,500 people killed in strikes
• 2010 worst year for strikes
• First strike killed a Taliban commander
There have been at least 2,500-3,000casualties reported in drone strikes, of which at least 350-420 are suspected to be civilians.
The first drone strike in Pakistan was carried out in 2004 to kill Taliban commander Naik Muhammad, according to data available with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism report (BIJ).
Over the last 12 years, more than 65 per cent of drone strikes were carried out in North Waziristan. Other areas hit by strikes include South Waziristan, Orakzai Agency, Bajaur, Bannu, Hangu, Khyber Agency and other parts of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
The greatest number of drone strikes on Pakistani soil, 128, were carried out in 2010, during US President Barack Obama's second year of presidency. Most drones were dispatched from US bases in Afghanistan.
OBAMA'S EXCESSES?
US President Barack Obama. ─ Reuters/File
There was a 631pc jump in drone strikes under President Obama, compared to the Bush administration. According to the BIJ, Bush authorised 51 strikes, while Obama gave the go-ahead for 373 strikes.
However, the civilian casualty rate at 3.3pc was higher when George W. Bush was president compared to just 0.7pc under Obama. The overall casualty rate was also lower under current US leadership at 5.6pc compared to 8pc under Bush.
In 2016, the Obama administration carried out three drone strikes in Pakistan; the first one on January 9, the second on February 22.
The third drone strike of the year ─ and the first US drone strike outside the tribal areas ─ killed Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour and a civilian on May 21 in Balochistan, which has long been a 'red line' for Pakistan.
Pakistan had conveyed a set of 'red lines' to the US in 2010, specifically mentioning attacks in Balochistan as a no-go area.
US drone strikes in Pakistan see 631pc increase under Obama
Over 2,500 people have been killed in US drone strikes in Pakistan, of which at least 350 were civilians.
WAQAR MUHAMMAD KHAN UPDATED about 16 hours ago
The drone strike that killed Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Mansour in Balochistan earlier this week has once again strained Pak-US ties, with Pakistan terming the attack a 'violation of sovereignty' and the United States (US) vowing to continue targeting terrorists on Pakistani soil – if need be.
The US began carrying out drone strikes in 2001, after 9/11, under the administration of then president George W. Bush. Since then, the US has conducted 910 strikes in four countries ─ Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. Pakistan is at the top of this list, with 424 drone attacks since 2004.
Over 2,500 people have been killed in US drone strikes, of which at least 350 were civilians.
PAKISTAN TOP TARGET OF STRIKES
There have been 424 drone attacks in Pakistan from 2004-2016, according to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism.
DRONE STRIKES IN PAKISTAN
• 424 strikes since 2004
• 373 strikes under Obama govt
• Over 2,500 people killed in strikes
• 2010 worst year for strikes
• First strike killed a Taliban commander
There have been at least 2,500-3,000casualties reported in drone strikes, of which at least 350-420 are suspected to be civilians.
The first drone strike in Pakistan was carried out in 2004 to kill Taliban commander Naik Muhammad, according to data available with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism report (BIJ).
Over the last 12 years, more than 65 per cent of drone strikes were carried out in North Waziristan. Other areas hit by strikes include South Waziristan, Orakzai Agency, Bajaur, Bannu, Hangu, Khyber Agency and other parts of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
The greatest number of drone strikes on Pakistani soil, 128, were carried out in 2010, during US President Barack Obama's second year of presidency. Most drones were dispatched from US bases in Afghanistan.
OBAMA'S EXCESSES?
US President Barack Obama. ─ Reuters/File
There was a 631pc jump in drone strikes under President Obama, compared to the Bush administration. According to the BIJ, Bush authorised 51 strikes, while Obama gave the go-ahead for 373 strikes.
However, the civilian casualty rate at 3.3pc was higher when George W. Bush was president compared to just 0.7pc under Obama. The overall casualty rate was also lower under current US leadership at 5.6pc compared to 8pc under Bush.
In 2016, the Obama administration carried out three drone strikes in Pakistan; the first one on January 9, the second on February 22.
The third drone strike of the year ─ and the first US drone strike outside the tribal areas ─ killed Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour and a civilian on May 21 in Balochistan, which has long been a 'red line' for Pakistan.
Pakistan had conveyed a set of 'red lines' to the US in 2010, specifically mentioning attacks in Balochistan as a no-go area.
