Afghan security personnel arrive at the site of a suicide attack in Kabul on June 11, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
As the world awaits the proposed withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, US officials stressed that the CIA will maintain significant presence in Kabul and armed drones will continue to patrol Pakistan's tribal belt, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday.
The process of closing down furtive bases in Afghanistan has already begun, though a footprint will remain even after the process is complete. The station in Kabul will remain among CIA’s largest in the world, and a fleet of armed drones are expected to continue to patrol Pakistan’s tribal belt.
The government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif publicly condemns drone attacks and has urged the US to stop such unilateral strikes.
A recent survey conducted by Washington-based Pew Research Center revealed that the US policy of drone use in places such as Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia is facing broad opposition around the world.
The survey conducted on the issue in 39 countries, found that more than half of the respondents in 31 of these countries disapproved of US drone attacks against extremist groups.
The report noted that in most of the nations polled, there continues to be extensive opposition to the American drone campaign against extremist leaders and organizations.
COMMENTS (9)
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America !! please MORE drones, as we are unable to kill our MONSTERS, please eliminate our MONSTERS.
So how about people becoming terrorist after having their innocent family murdered in a drone strike? what would you do @mohajir ahmed41 if it was your family that got wiped out because of a drone?
@Hammad
And who were the creators of Taliban? Back then they were regarded as great freedom fighters & 'Mujahiden' when fighting against soviets. But when they took arms against US they instantly become 'terrorists'. Hypocrisy at its best!!! No doubt that their creators are root cause of all the terrorism in our region.
If the USA doesn't elect the zero option continued use of drones makes perfect sense as the USA has made it clear that it's not going to allow terrorist/militants to use Pakistan as safe haven to attack USA troops. The solution to drone attacks has always been the same - stop allowing terrorist to use Pakistan as sanctuary - weed out the people within the govt/military that provide support for the terrorist/militants - resolve your poor relations with India/Afghanistan - and eliminate your reputation as Jihad central.
The pashtoon belt is infested with extremists who kill innocent pashtoons in kp and fata. Drones do help reduce dangerous militants there. Therefore evry right thinking Pakistani supports them.
@Sajjad: The US is trying to root out terrorism in the Af_Pak tribal belt using the cheapest modern technology .
Cheap = { no boots on the ground }
I can see a leg and an arm on the roof of that car! :(
America is the root of all terrorism.