North Waziristan: Four killed in two drone attacks

As many as four people were killed in twin drone strikes in Datta Khel, North Waziristan, Dunya News reported on Wednesday.
The first drone strike hit a compound allegedly housing militants in Mir Ali Shah, killing two. The second drone hit a vehicle in Datta Khel killing three people and injuring two others. The total toll from the strikes stands at five. Drone strikes reached an all time high in September last month.

5 Iraqi Soldiers Killed At Baghdad Checkpoint

BAGHDAD NEWS: Insurgents killed five Iraqi soldiers on Wednesday in an attack on a military checkpoint in south Baghdad, the army said.

“Five soldiers were killed in a terrorist attack on a checkpoint in the Radhwaniyah neighbourhood,” said a statement from Baghdad Operations Command, without elaborating.

“The security forces closed off the area and detained 17 suspects,” it added. Two policemen were shot dead in an attack on a watchtower in the same neighbourhood on Monday.

Nationwide Strikes In France Against Sarkoz

Nearly 800-thousand French workers have taken part in nation-wide strikes.

In Paris, protesters took to the streets, criticizing reforms planned by President Nicolas Sarkozy.

It was only two days after Sarkozy’s party’s stinging defeat in regional elections. The Socialists took 23 of France’s 26 regions. The protesters include union members and workers.

Unions say amid the weak economy, Sarkozy’s conservative government hasn’t offered satisfactory plans for jobs, salaries, purchasing power and working conditions.

US Drones kill 10 in North Waziristan

MIRANSHAH, Pakistan News: At least 10 people were killed when several missiles fired from the US drones hit a suspected militant compound in North Waziristan tribal region near the Afghan border.

At least 13 missiles were fired from about five US spy aircrafts on a militant compound in Dattakhel village, according to sources.

At least 10 people were killed in the strikes, and the toll is expected to rise.

A number of US strikes in early January are reported to have targeted Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud, but he then dispelled rumours of his death in an audio recording, also vowing revenge for the drone programme.

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US Drones kill 10 in North Waziristan was first posted on February 2, 2010 at 10:03 pm.

John McCain Backs Drone Strikes in Pakistan

John McCain Backs Drone Strikes in Pakistan, US Senator John McCain defended Thursday the use of drone attacks against suspected militants in Pakistan, despite the mounting civilian casualties of the raids.
“The drone strikes are part of an overall set of tactics which make up the strategy for victory and they have been very effective,” he said during his visit to Kabul. He did not mention the collateral damage inflicted upon the civilian population.
“I think it should continue, I think it’s an important tool in our overall strategy and we can claim measurable success in carrying out those operations,” said McCain.
The drone attacks, carried out by the US Central Intelligence Agency in cooperation with the Pentagon, reportedly killed over 700 civilians in Pakistan last year.
Drones had “knocked Al-Qaeda and other extremist groups off balance and they have been successful, and we are working more closely with the Afghan government as well as the Pakistan government to make those operations more efficient and less damaging to the civilian population,” McCain said.

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John McCain Backs Drone Strikes in Pakistan was first posted on January 7, 2010 at 3:55 pm.