Drone Strike Kills 8 Germans in Northwest Pakistan

Makeda Tiye Young
October 4th, 2010
5:25pm

News reporting from Pakistan today gives the details for a drone strike that killed 8 Germans belonging to a group called the Jihad Islami. Most believe that two missiles that his the Mirali mosque in Wasiristan were from a CIA aircraft. The United States along with Britain have been warning Europe about the increased risk of terrorist attacks especially with past month of September's reported 21 strike attacks. Mohammad Alam, a witness and resident of Mirali said that there were people at the mosque who had gathered for prayer when the missile hit and now militants are not allowing anyone near the area. It has been said that the tension between the US and Pakistan is steadily rising especially in the case of NATO and the recent attack against tankers. The CIA has been working to eliminate the Haqqani network which is an Afghan Taliban faction in North Waziristan. U.S. officials say that the drone attacks are very useful because the weapon has the ability to kill high profile militants in Pakistan which is thriving as a global hub for terrorists. On the other hand Pakistani's say that because there are civilian casualties it undermines the efforts for the War on Terror.

Believing that our intelligence and technological advances are contributing to the War on Terror, the rising tension with Pakistan seems to be having the reverse affect. Although the drone and other aircraft strikers are pilotless which diminishes the casualty for the US, it's a weapon that produces civilian casualties as well. What I am really interested is how globally spread the terrorist are becoming in Europe and how they are influencing more members to join. It was said that one of the leaders from Germany of Afghan origin Ahmed Sidiqi was influenced by cell mates in Hamburg joining the Islamic Movement Uzbekistan early 2009. It seems that maybe if a problem persists with people being influenced into joining terrorists groups from hatred experienced in prison perhaps there can be a way to watch prisoners who leave and ensure that more information is not passed along allowing the issue continue. Also Europe is now cautioning any American citizens traveling for fear that they become targets which I believe would not only heighten risks but cause major setbacks if an event like that is to occur.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6934JR20101004?pageNumber=2