Yemeni officials confirm on Monday that at least three alleged al-Qaeda operatives were killed in a US-led drone strike earlier today in the southern province of Marib.
Sources close to the matter explained that after Yemen received confirmation that identified terror militants had been spotted in the restive province of Marib, where al-Qaeda is known to have established strongholds; the government chose to authorize yet another strike, despite calls from the public to put an end to such a controversial counter-terror campaign.
Although President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi has insisted in line with Washington’s policy that drones are Yemen’s best weapon against al-Qaeda as they present a tactical advantage without any heavy military deployment on the ground, rights activists, anti-war campaigners and the greater public have expressed anger toward such a decision, warning mounting civilian casualties could never be justified as acceptable war casualties.
This new attack comes at a time when the European Union has condemned America’s covert drone program in Yemen, Pakistan and Afghanistan. EU MPs voted last week on a resolution which clearly challenges the legality of drones. The resolution read, “Drone strikes by a State on the territory of another State without the consent of the latter constitute a violation of international law and of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of that country … thousands of civilians have reportedly been killed or seriously injured by drone strikes [but] these figures are difficult to estimate, owing to lack of transparency and obstacles to effective investigation … drone strike policies have been documented as causing considerable harm to the daily lives of ordinary civilians in the countries concerned, including deep anxiety and psychological trauma, disruption of economic and social activities and reduced access to education among affected communities."
Back in December 2013, Yemen Parliament officially called on the government to end its drone campaign. However, since such announcement carries no legal obligation, President Hado chose to discard the resolution, noting only that he would take such “advise” under consideration.
Anadolu agency qoted a Marib resident as saying on Monday, “A US drone raided al-Arq al-Awsat area in al-Wadi directorate, killing a man suspected to belong to al-Qaeda.”
Another resident claimed Mujahed al-Shabwani, an alleged al-Qaeda leader had been sleeping near his car when it was targeted from the air.