CIA has suspended drone attacks in Pakistan, U.S. officials say

[ via Los Angeles Times ] 23 Dec

The collateral damage is much more than the claimed kill results

In an effort to mend badly frayed relations with Pakistan, the CIA has suspended drone missile strikes on gatherings of low-ranking militants believed to be involved in cross-border attacks on U.S. troops or facilities in Afghanistan, current and former U.S. officials say.

The undeclared halt in CIA attacks, now in its sixth week, is aimed at reversing a sharp erosion of trust after a series of deadly incidents, including the mistaken attack by U.S. gunships that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers last month.

Some State Department officials insist that airstrikes on low-level militants now hurt U.S. interests in Pakistan more than they help.

Read more: Los Angeles Times

Posted in: CIA, Drone Attack, NATO, Pakistan, War on Terror