Drone attacks hit high in Iraq

[sabra]

Source: USA Today

WASHINGTON — U.S. commanders in Iraq have ordered an unprecedented number of airstrikes by unmanned airplanes in April to kill insurgents in urban combat and to limit their ability to launch rockets at American forces, military records show.

The 11 attacks by Predators — nearly double the previous high for one month — were conducted as the Pentagon has intensified efforts to increase the use of drones, which play an increasingly vital role for gathering intelligence and launching attacks in Iraq. Last week, Defense Secretary Robert Gates prodded the Air Force to do more to rush drones to the war zone.

The increase in Predator attacks coincided with a spike in fighting in Baghdad's slum of Sadr City and in the city of Basra, where the Iraqi government mounted an offensive to root out militias there.

Commanders are expected to rely more on unmanned systems as 30,000 U.S. troops sent last year are withdrawn. The military has dozens of Predators in Iraq and Afghanistan. In all it operates 5,000 drones, 25 times more than it had in 2001.

"The Predator teams have just been doing unbelievable work down there (in Basra) and in Baghdad as well," Gen. David Petraeus, the top commander in Iraq, said in a statement last week.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2008-04-29-predator_N.htm

[Mika]

1. America über alles

[saigon68]

2. Pity the Poor Children

Who are being Disemboweled as I type

[wtmusic]

3. We could have 250,000 drones

and we will still lose this illegal war.

[Nihil]

7. You have (most of them already in Iraq) and you will. (n/t)

:patriot:

[catnhatnh]

4. Us military operates 5000 drones.....

and there are "dozens" in Iraq and Afghanistan??? Kinda makes me wonder where the OTHER 4900 are being used.......

[bahrbearian]

5. Especially now that they have turned the spy satelites ,

to watch our own country, 1st time ever. Nothing to see here , move along.

[singilarpoint]

6. Launch the drones

Drop the bombs
Kill the people
Label them insurgents (regardless of who gets killed)
Call it a day
Repeat