While Yemeni officials have not yet confirmed what part if at all the United States played in Yemen’s grand strike against al-Qaeda (April 20-21) Fox news (US media) quoted sources as saying that US personnel were currently on the ground in Yemen to assist Yemen in sifting through the aftermath of drone strikes: such as retrieving bodies, collecting evidence, DNA samples to enable identification and other data.
Fox news alleged on Tuesday that Yemen’s latest air strike against al-Qaeda was not only carried under the strict supervision of the United States, but directed by the CIA. Such statement actually would contradict statements made military officials that at least parts of the operations were Yemeni-run and Yemeni-led.
Moreover, Fox news alleged that US pilots provided “airlift to Yemeni troops via Russian-built MI8 helicopters overnight for a separate ambush on a vehicle believed to be carrying top al Qaeda militants.”
While Yemen President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi has always expressed his desire and willingness to closely collaborate with the United States when it comes to al-Qaeda and security, elements in Yemen might take umbrage to such a seemingly high-jacking of Yemen’s airspace and territorial sovereignty.
Rights activists have already warned that regardless of Washington might wish to achieve on the ground in regards to al-Qaeda, they would continue to oppose drone strikes as a matter of principle.
If on Tuesday Yemeni officials estimated that Sunday and Monday strikes led to the death of 55 militants, the tally has now risen to 68.