US DRONE STRIKE KILLS ONE IN SOUTHERN SOMALIA

Mugadisho, 25 Rabi’ul Awwal 1435/27 Januari 2014 (MINA) – A suspected al-Shabab fighter has been reportedly killed in an attack carried out by a US assassination drone in southern Somalia.

According to Abu Mohamed, a commander of the country’s al-Shabab group, the attack took place in a village called Hawai in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region on Sunday.

He said that Sahal Iskudhuq, a commander with close link to al-Shabab’s top leader, was killed when his car was hit by a missile fired from the drone. Press Tv quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

The US military has not commented on the attack, as part of its official policy.

The US military uses remote-controlled drones in Somalia for reconnaissance operations and targeted killings.

Washington uses assassination drones in several countries — including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Yemen — to target what it calls militants. According to witnesses, however, the attacks have mostly led to civilian casualties.

In October of last year, a joint report by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said US officials could be found guilty of war crimes for the secret CIA drone attacks which have killed hundreds of people.

The aerial attacks, initiated by former US president, George W. Bush, have escalated under President Barack Obama. President Obama recently defended the use of controversial drones as “self-defense.”

The United Nations says the US-operated drone strikes pose a growing challenge to the international rule of law. (T/P012/IR)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

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