Pakistan: U.S. strike kills 17 in Waziristan

[unhappycamper]

Pakistan: U.S. strike kills 17 in Waziristan
By Shtiaq Mahsud and Rasool Dawar - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Dec 17, 2009 13:56:06 EST

MIR ALI, Pakistan — Two U.S. missile strikes pummeled targets inside the main sanctuary used by al-Qaida and the Taliban along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan on Thursday, killing 17 people, local intelligence officials said.

The missiles rained on North Waziristan, considered a safe haven for many militants including groups determined to push the U.S. and NATO out of Afghanistan. The strikes in North Waziristan are especially sensitive because they risk angering Afghan-focused militant groups who have agreed to be neutral as Islamabad cracks down on Taliban fighters who have threatened the Pakistani state.

Officials said in the first strike, two missiles hit a car carrying two suspected insurgents in Dosali village. Later Thursday, the 10 missiles fired by five drones killed 15 people in two compounds in the Ambarshaga area. At least seven of the dead were foreigners, the officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to media.

It was not immediately clear who or what was targeted in the strike.

The U.S. has carried out more than 40 such missile strikes this year, killing scores of suspected al-Qaida and Taliban militants, but angering many Pakistanis who point to the resulting civilian casualties. Pakistan regularly condemns the attacks as violations of its sovereignty, but it is believed to secretly aid the U.S. campaign.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/12/ap_pakistan_strike_121709/

[Smarmie Doofus]

1. The *nerve* of some "militant groups".

>>>>The missiles rained on North Waziristan, considered a safe haven for many militants including groups determined to push the U.S. and NATO out of Afghanistan.>>>>>

Imagine ..... wanting foreign troops to *leave* Afghanistan.