Drone strikes kill suspected al Qaeda militants in Yemen

[The Northerner]

Sanaa, Yemen (CNN) -- A pair of U.S. drone strikes killed 11 suspected al Qaeda militants Saturday in Yemen's Mareb province, part of a continuing air campaign targeting the terror organization, security officials said.

The first drone attack killed seven people after it hit one of three vehicles carrying the suspected militants in the district of Huraib, the officials said. The other two vehicles fled the area unharmed and continued toward the southern Abyan province.

A heavy government presence was at the scene immediately after the attack and residents said thick smoke and flames could be seen from miles away.

The dead included three al Qaeda leaders, according to the officials, who called the attack a blow to the al Qaeda network in the country.

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/12/world/meast/yemen-drone-strike/


So, does it matter who among them were actually "terrorists", considering that no trial occurred, and who were civilians or does it not matter one bit so long as "suspected" terrorists were killed as well?

[Bonobo]

1. "If they run, they're VC." nt

[11 Bravo]

2. If they DON'T run, they're well-disciplined VC!

[orpupilofnature57]

4. Aint War Hell ,ha ha ,Get some !! get some !!

Stanley Kubrick hit it right on the head in that scene .

[MrSlayer]

3. It's tough to be a terrorist these days.

No safe haven anywhere. People would do well to avoid being near these guys.

[Bonobo]

5. How do you know they were terrorists. I eagerly await your answer.

But I bet it is NOT an answer.

[MrSlayer]

6. Do you think they just randomly shoot at people?

I know the MIC loves to waste money but I don't think they just go shooting at convoys willy nilly. Somebody was there that they wanted to eliminate.

[Bonobo]

7. Wow, somehow I just KNEW you would answer with a question.

Thanks for the knowing laugh.

[MrSlayer]

8. Ok, try this one on for size.

I expect the terrorist hunters to know their job. I don't expect them to drone people that haven't merited their attention. If they are coming after you, there is usually a reason for it.

So no, I don't know without any doubt that they were terrorists any more than you know that they weren't.

[Bonobo]

9. That is an answer, but how is it different than assuming a person is guilty

simply because the police are asking a person questions?

You could say what you said of any suspect. If the police think they did it, they should simply be trusted because they "know their job".

The problem is that they CAN'T be trusted as we know and that is why their is a separate judicial branch.

In the case of war, it used to be clear because people chose to wear uniforms.

This is not war. It is much more akin to crime --more specifically "thought crimes" because the people we are targeting are often guilty only of their associations and not actual acts.

So where is the analogous organ that functions as a separate judicial branch?