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(Image Source: U.S. Air Force)
BY NICHOLE CARTMELL
Seven people are dead after a suspected U.S. drone strike hit a northwest area in Pakistan.
This comes just three days after the newly elected Pakistani prime minister called for
an end to U.S. drone attacks.
The target was a compound in a village in the North Waziristan tribal region, close
to the Afghan border. The area is known as a stronghold of Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked
militants. (Via Google Maps)
This is the first drone strike on Pakistani soil since Nawaz Sharif was sworn into power.
In an address to Parliament Wednesday, Sharif renewed a call to end these attacks.
"Daily drone attacks must stop now. We respect the sovereignty of others and the U.S. should
respect ours. It is not fair that we respect other's sovereignty and they do not respect
ours." (Via Al Jazeera)
But these drone strikes are a complicated issue in Pakistan.
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism reports since 2004, there have been 369 drone attacks
in Pakistan, 317 of which were carried out by the Obama administration. What's more is
that between 2,500-3,500 people have been killed by the strikes. (Via Wikimedia Commons)
Obama makes the case that drones are a necessary tool against armed groups like the Taliban.
In May, the president said the drone strikes in Pakistan were part of a legitimate campaign
against terrorists and the killings are "legal" and "just." (Via BBC)
But interestingly, parts of the Pakistani government and military are often accused
of turning their heads or even condoning some of the drone strikes. (Via CNN)
In May, a U.S. drone strike killed the No. 2 leader of the Pakistani Taliban. It remains
unknown who the target was in the latest drone attack.