Posted on 06/24/2009 2:59:50 AM PDT by Cindy
The US carried out its second Predator airstrike inside South Waziristan today. Unmanned Predator aircraft killed more than 65 Taliban fighters in a follow-on attack near the headquarters for Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud.
The Predator strike aircraft fired three Hellfire missiles as Taliban fighters gathered for a funeral of Khog Wali, a leader in Baitullah's army in South Waziristan who was among six Taliban fighters killed in the first US airstrike earlier today.
Commander Sangeen, a Taliban commander from Afghanistan, was reported to be among those killed in the strike at the funeral. Predators are said to have fired on Taliban vehicles as they attempted to leave the scene of the attack, Dawn reported.
The attack took place in the town of Makeen, a stronghold of Baitullah Mehsud, according to Geo News. The US has hit Taliban facilities in the Makeen region three times since June 14. The Pakistani Air Force has also launched several attacks in the region.
These attacks coincided with an important meeting between Baitullah and a senior delegation of Taliban and al Qaeda leaders to discuss the military's operation in South Waziristan. Among those in attendance were Siraj Haqqani, Abu Yahya al Libi, Abdul Haq, and two senior deputies of Mullah Abdullah Zakir. The US appears to have targeted al Qaedas senior leadership as it met with Baitullah.
(Excerpt) Read more at longwarjournal.org ...
Previously...
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/06/six_killed_in_us_pre.php
“Six killed in US Predator attack in South Waziristan”
By BILL ROGGIOJune 23, 2009 2:01 AM
SNIPPET: “Unmanned Predator aircraft operated by the US struck inside South Waziristan in Baitullah Mehsud’s tribal territories. The strike marks the fourth attack in South Waziristan since Jun. 14 after a one-month hiatus in the Predator campaign.
Three strike aircraft are reported to have fired Hellfire missiles at a compound in the Ladha region of South Waziristan, a region run by Pakistan Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud. Six people have been reported killed in airstrike. No senior al Qaeda or Taliban leaders have been reported killed or wounded at this time.
Todays Predator attack occurs as the Pakistani military is gearing up for a major offensive against Baitullahs forces in South Waziristan. The opening phase of the ground offensive has begun as Pakistan troops are working to secure the Wana-Jandola road and have also moved artillery forward to pound Taliban positions. The Air Force, Army, and Frontier Corps have been pounding Taliban positions in Baitullahs tribal areas. The military claimed scores of Taliban fighters have been killed in these strikes.
South Waziristan is a major focus of the US air campaign against al Qaeda and the Taliban.”
I read where we won’t drop bombs or shoot missiles near homes. That is nice to know if you are a terrorist.
The Taliban will have to shift strategy and start having funerals near homes.
Hmmmm....I seem to remember that the MSM howled loudly at GWB when a Predator strike killed a bunch of Taliban at another big-wig funeral several years ago. Where's the outrage now?
is it just me or do the taliban seem not too bright.
6 guys killed early in the day by predator, so 45 get together to bury them. boom, another predator strike kills them.
warfare by robot. wow.
Scores of Taliban killed in second US strike in South Waziristan
When Bush was president the headlines said,”Scores of civilians killed in second US strike in South Waziristan”
Media bias folks.
I like it just wait until they covey up and go for the skillet shoot.
LLS
Yeah, or "Bush Attacks Solemn Muslim Religious Ceremony"...
“YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT.”
UPDATE:
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/06/senior_taliban_leade.php
“Senior Taliban leaders targeted in yesterday’s Predator strikes”
By BILL ROGGIO
June 24, 2009 9:32 AM
SNIPPET: “Yesterday’s follow-on Predator attack at a funeral for a Taliban commander targeted senior Pakistani and Afghan leaders of the group. The death toll in the attack has jumped to 83, and two Taliban commanders were rumored to have been killed, although one commander targeted confirmed he was alive and an aide to another said the leader was not killed.
Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud; Qari Hussain Mehsud, a senior commander in Baitullah’s network; and Mullah Sangeen Zadran, a field commander in the Haqqani Network in Afghanistan, were targeted in the Predator attack in Pakistan’s lawless tribal agency of South Waziristan.
The attack took place in the Ladha region as scores of Taliban leaders and fighters were attending the funeral of Khwaz Ali Mehsud, a mid-level commander in Baitullah’s network. The initial attack on the funeral procession was followed up with strikes on Taliban vehicles as they attempted to flee the attack site.
Khwaz was killed in a Predator airstrike in Makeen earlier that morning. The attack killed five other low-level Taliban fighters.
Khwaz was “beloved” by Baitullah, a senior US military intelligence official told The Long War Journal. The News described Khwaz as one of Baitullah’s “close and trusted commanders.” Senior Taliban leaders were expected to attend Khwaz’s funeral to pay their respects.”
When Bush was president the headlines said,Scores of civilians killed in second US strike in South Waziristan
Read more about it here http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=World_News&subsection=Pakistan+%26+Sub-Continent&month=June2009&file=World_News2009062571418.xml
65 more funerals coming up is a target rich environment!!!!
Here’s hoping that they will have 65 more funerals, and kill 65 more at each funeral!
Rest in pieces, muzzies!
/mark
Thank you happinesswithoutpeace.
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