Conservatives and progressives in the U.S. may be allowing President Barack Obama a “grace” period as he settles into office, but people in Afghanistan and Pakistan are not. A few days after Obama’s inauguration, U.S. attacks that allegedly killed civilians have sparked outrage among citizens and government officials of both countries.
Pakistan: Two Drone Missile Strikes Kill 14, Jan 23
On Friday Jan 23, news agencies reported that in Pakistan, missile strikes purportedly launched from U.S. Predator drones killed 14 people in the Waziristan region of the country.
The first strike hit a house in the village of Zeerakai in North Waziristan. According to officials, nine people were killed, four of whom were identified as Al Qaeda militants.
A second drone-launched missile-strike occurred in South Waziristan, reportedly killing five people. There is controversy over whom this strike killed. Local officials said that the missiles hit the wrong house, killing a pro-government tribal leader and four members of his family, including a five-year-old child.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari protested the missile strikes and Pakistani citizens demonstrated in the streets.
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- BBC, Jan 23 2009: “Deadly missiles strike Pakistan“
- Reuters, Jan 25 2009: “U.S. Missiles dont help Pakistan war effort“
- Reuters, Jan 26 2009: “U.S. missile strikes on Pakistan : more of the same under Obama or worse to come?“
Afghanistan: U.S. Airstrike Kills 11-16, Jan 25
On Sunday Jan 25, news agencies reported that in Afghanistan, a U.S. military operation reportedly killed 11-16 Afghans. The exact number and whether those killed were mainly civilians or combatants are disputed.
Local Afghans and President Hamid Karzai claim that up to 16 civilians were killed, including two women and three children.
In contrast, the U.S. military says its operation killed 15 armed militants, including a woman approaching them with a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher. It did not clarify whether the combatant deaths it claims were the same people as the civilian deaths counted by Afghan officials.
Karzai argued that the killing of civilians during military operations “is strengthening the terrorists”. In the regional capital, hundreds of people demonstrated against the U.S. raids. U.S. military leaders met with Afghan government officials in the regional capital. The regional Governor, Latifullah Mashal, reported that the U.S. military apologized for the incident and agreed to coordinate future operations with Afghan forces. The U.S. military said it, in concert with Afghan officials, plans to investigate the incident but that the investigation has been delayed by bad weather.
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- Associated Press, Jan 24 2009: “US, Afghan villagers differ over 15 killed in raid“
- Associated Press, Jan 25 2009: “Afghan president: US forces killed 16 civilians“
