Amnesty International examined nine American drone attacks in Pakistan. It says it found evidence that more than 30 civilians were killed in four of the strikes. A United Nations report has estimated that drone strikes in Pakistan killed 400 civilians over the past 10 years.
Both Amnesty and Human Rights Watch are calling for more congressional supervision of the Central Intelligence Agency and the Defense Department.
The first American drone attack in Pakistan took place in 2004. Many observers believe there was a secret agreement in which Pakistan privately approved of drone strikes but publicly condemned them.
Pakistani officials say they are strongly opposed to the attacks. They condemn them as a violation of their country’s sovereignty – the right to be free from interference by another country. They also say the attacks are fueling militancy in Pakistan.
North Waziristan has long been considered a center for al-Qaida militants and the Haqqani network. That group has been blamed for some of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan. The United States has long pressured the Pakistani military to move against extremists in North Waziristan. However, some officials believe that state control has almost disappeared in the territory.
On Wednesday, President Obama and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met at the White House. They discussed cooperation in fighting terrorism and concerns about what the president called “senseless violence and extremism” in Pakistan. Afterward they spoke to reporters. Prime Minister Sharif said the two countries will continue to increase cooperation against terrorists. But he also called for no more drone attacks.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25