Predator Attacks and Collateral Damage

The US has been using its Predator UAVs to hunt down members of the Taliban and to attack them. This short article by David Pugliese of the Ottawa Citizen, talks to that

Taliban and related insurgents are on the look out for spies they feel are helping direct the Predator UAV attacks on leadership targets.

Several days ago Taliban-aligned militants in the North Waziristan region executed three alleged spies who were working for US forces in the country. The bodies of the three men, riddled with bullets, were found dumped on the main road between Miranshah and Bannu, according to local tribesmen. It is believed the Taliban thought the men were reporting on militant movements in Pakistan's tribal belt, which has been hit more than 50 times by missiles fired by U.S. UAVs.

More executions are expected.

One upshot was this comment from some wag:

We should hold a public awards ceremony, and invite the press, including Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya, and issue posthumous awards. Then, sit back and let them wage their own version of shock and awe. The distrust and blood vengeance would set new conditions which coalition forces can exploit and that the PK gov't should use to increase its influence/legitimacy in the FATA.

I like this person's thinking. It is creative and it is cost effective.

It should be noted here that this is a "man in the loop" operation with the Predators.

Also, David Pugliese has a blog on military matters, for those looking for such items. It has a Canadian orientation, but review the last dozen posts, I see that with our close ties with our neighbor to the north it can't help but touch on the US military and the US defense industry.

Regards -- Cliff