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2009: 90% Of Deaths In US Drone Strikes In Pakistan Are Civilian

by JoshArizona | May 13, 2010 at 12:32 pm

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In the year 2009 alone there were nearly twice as many drone strikes in Pakistan as the preceding 5 years all together.According to statistics released by the Pakistani government, There were 44 US drone attacks in 2009, of which only 5 hit their intended targets.708 people were killed by the attacks, and 90% of the casualties were determined to be Civilians.

These air strikes carried out by the Central Intelligence Agency and the United States Air Force account for enormous collateral damage.Yet, not even half way through 2010 we have already had 3/4 of the amount in 2009.The Department of Defense is asking for a 75% increase in its 2011 budget for funding more UAV strikes.

Between June 18, 2004 and January 1, 2009 there were 25 confirmed US drone strikes on Pakistani soil, under President George W. Bush. January 23, 2009 through May 11, 2010 there were 76 confirmed strikes, under President Barack Obama. President Obama has permitted 3 times as many strikes in his one and a half year tenure as the previous president in 8 years. Despite his campaigning as an anti-war candidate, our new president has failed to end these illegal strikes in Pakistan, and has actually vastly increased their number.

No war was ever declared on Pakistan, and Pakistan to this day is considered to be a valuable US ally in the middle east. The American people through their elected representatives have never voted to go to war with Pakistan.The last two administrations believe they have the authority to go to war anywhere they want without the authorization of the US congress and believe they can disobey the United States Constitution.

The Global War on Terror presents them with a perpetual war, much like the war in George Orwell's '1984'.There is no clearly defined enemy, there are no clearly defined goals, and there is no end in sight.

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YankeeJim

at 03:49 on May 14th, 2010

The statistics source is the Pakistan government and they can't differentiate between enemy, insurgent, and citizen. They sometimes think the Taliban are good guys while the TTP is attacking NYC. This story sensationalizes and may be completely false. The fact is, when citizens stand next to the enemy, harboring, they will be killed.

René

at 07:41 on May 14th, 2010

and let's not leave out the fact that none of them wear uniforms, so, anyone killed can be claimed to be 'civilians'. innocent? highly debatable.

JoshArizona

at 10:24 on May 16th, 2010

Think about the fact that only 5 out of 44 strikes hit their target. Does that sound successful?

I guess our government could never do anything wrong, they would never cause suffering or injustice.

Go back to sleep America, bury your collective head in the sand and everything will be alright.

Ejaz Asi (not verified)

at 23:14 on May 26th, 2010

Its not terrorism if its done in Pakistan apparently. Irrespective of authenticity of these figures, one must ask and wonder if the terrorism has increased or decreased post 9/11 world and thanks to some of the most ambitious plans of US to enter Afghanistan, Iraq. I understand many Americans feel for their brethren fighting and sustaining injuries and even dying in Afghanistan and Iraq which is fine and a natural reaction but can't we take a moment and think about the legitimacy, morality and foreign relations consequences before sending American troops wherever the hell the Govt. wanted? "No war was ever declared on Pak and Pak to this day is considered to be a valuable US ally in the middle east" If this is what US does to its allies, what will it do to its own citizens?