American drone strikes in Pakistan

Between 2004 and 2018, the United States government used unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, to attack targets in northwest Pakistan. These drones were operated by the United States Air Force and directed by the Central Intelligence Agency. The attacks happened mainly in areas near the border with Afghanistan, during a time known as the war on terror.

The drone strikes started during the time when George W. Bush was President of the United States and increased under Barack Obama. Some people called these attacks a "drone war." Leaders in Pakistan, such as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, often spoke out against the strikes, saying they broke international rules. However, some Pakistani leaders secretly allowed the United States to carry out these attacks.

Important leaders of groups like the Pakistani Taliban and the Afghan Taliban were killed in these strikes. The attacks were part of a larger effort to fight against groups that threatened safety in the region. The operations in Pakistan were connected to similar drone campaigns in Afghanistan.

Overview

Between 2004 and 2018, the United States used unmanned flying machines, called drones, to attack targets in northwest Pakistan. These attacks were part of efforts during a time called the war on terror. Most attacks happened in an area near the border with Afghanistan.

The attacks began when President George W. Bush was in office and increased when President Barack Obama took over. Different leaders and groups were targeted during these years. The use of drones caused debates about safety and rules, especially because sometimes people who were not involved also got hurt during the attacks.

Targeting process and drones

In September 2011, about 30 special flying machines called Predator drones and Reaper drones were being used by the United States in the area near Afghanistan and Pakistan. These machines are flown by United States Air Force pilots from bases in the United States. Some armed flying machines are also used by the United States Air Force at bases like Creech Air Force Base and Holloman Air Force Base.

The flying machines used for these operations are managed by a special group within a big United States agency. Decisions to use these machines to attack certain people go through a careful review process. Experts help make sure these actions follow the rules.

Later, smaller missiles were used to try to avoid harming people who were not involved in fights. These smaller missiles are about the size of a music case. New technology helps operators watch targets more closely and make sure they are in the right place before attacking. Sometimes, very small flying machines are used to watch possible targets for a long time.

Since 2008, there has been a change in how these attacks are planned. Instead of only targeting known individuals, actions are sometimes based on behavior that looks suspicious. This means more everyday people might be affected, which has caused some disagreement. Special groups in the United States government review each attack to make sure it was done correctly.

Casualties

See also: List of drone strikes in Pakistan, List of Taliban fatality reports in Pakistan, and Civilian casualties from the United States drone strikes

Reports about how many people were killed in these attacks differ. The strikes mainly targeted members of groups like the Pakistani Taliban, Afghan Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and the Haqqani Network. Some important leaders of these groups were also killed.

Different groups have shared different numbers about the people who died. Some say most of those killed were members of these groups, while others believe more ordinary people, including children, were hurt or killed. Studies and reports have tried to count the numbers, but they often give different results. Some say most of those killed were group members, while others say a large number of ordinary people were also affected.

Studies on impact

Effectiveness in counterterrorism

Some studies say that drone strikes in Pakistan helped stop terrorist attacks. A study from 2016 found that drone strikes made terrorist attacks less often and less deadly. Another study from Stanford University said that drone strikes helped lower the number of attacks and deaths in the areas where they happened.

Terrorism and recruitment

Other studies say that while drone strikes reduced terrorist activity in some places, they sometimes caused more attacks in cities where militant groups moved. Some experts think that drone strikes made militants more determined to fight. But a study from 2018 found that drone strikes did not really change how many people joined militant groups. Instead, other things like political problems and how the government treats people seemed to matter more.

Reactions

Messages found after the death of a leader of a group called al Qaeda showed concern about attacks by unmanned aircraft, called drones, operated by the United States. These leaders felt that the drone attacks were harming their members quickly.

In Pakistan, many people have strong feelings about these drone attacks. Some believe the drones target people unfairly, while others think they help fight harmful groups. Surveys show mixed opinions among people in Pakistan about whether drone attacks are right or wrong.

Different groups and leaders have taken stands on this issue. In the United States, some lawmakers have questioned whether these attacks follow international rules. In Pakistan, some have organized peaceful marches to draw attention to the situation and call for an end to the attacks.

Legal and human rights issues

The United States said the drone attacks were allowed because Pakistan could not control some areas where terrorist groups operated. Leaders said the attacks were done to protect the American people from serious threats.

Some groups and the United Nations said the attacks were wrong because they sometimes hurt people who were not involved in fighting. They asked for more information about these attacks and wanted leaders to explain their actions better. Some reports said many civilians were hurt during these operations, which made people in Pakistan unhappy with the United States.