I am not going to make excuses for the deaths of Yemeni children on their school bus. The USA made a huge error in targeting. It was by drone. All those children were killed and injured by a USA drone flown by the USA military hundreds to thousands of miles away. To begin, this administration has used children before to inflict pain. Specifically at the USA southern border. I caution them to be far more careful than this.
Most Americans don’t really understand the USA involvement in Yemen. Yes, Saudi Arabia is an ally to the USA, but, the Saudis aren’t the only reason we are there. Yemen is still baggage from September 11, 2001. Since, 2002 the USA has carried out and confirmed 392 drone strikes over Yemen. The rational back in 2002 was that Yemen had several bases belonging to Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. According to the American military 57 Al Qaeda leaders were killed in those strikes along with innumerable training camps. Really? Yemen isn’t that big. A few training camps, maybe, but not so many the USA military lost count.
This is not the first time civilians were killed. Depending on the source there have been 111 to 210 civilians killed in Yemen by USA drones. No doubt these children are the youngest.
How long does the war on terror go on? The argument can be made that the attacks into Saudi Arabia by the Houthis is due to the prolonged USA bombing that spans 16 years. Is there any wonder why Iran is a sympathizer?
The most famous drone strike carried out in Yemen was Anwar al Awlaki, an American born cleric. In days following Awlaki’s death a USA drone targeted and killed his 16 year old American born son as well as slaughtering four of his friends with the same drone strike. The reason the son’s death occurred was that on examination of Awlaki’s cell phone record a frequent number appeared and it was the cell phone of his son. But, the USA didn’t view it as a family member joyfully speaking to his father, but, another terrorist. Testimony in a court case regarding the deaths of these two Americans would reveal by the 16 year old’s grandfather that the boy was a good student with a loving family and good friends. The 16 year old was never raised to be a terrorist by his father or anyone else. The truth is Awlaki was radicalized due to mistreatment by the USA on American soil after 911 that drove him to Yemen.
That was a very long winded way of saying those children better not have been a deliberate target for ANY reason. There needs to be a thorough investigation including pilot fatigue and burn out. Given the parameters by which drone pilots operate this seems like a planned strike. It better not have been a side swipe at Iran. There is only one person I can think of maniacal enough to do such a thing. If I remember correctly didn’t all drone strikes have to go through Obama?
Iran needs to initiate a peace process through the U.N. Security Council to end this senseless violence. I might add, the Saudis were at Trump Tower recently and there still exists the insane Trump - Kushner peace plan for the Middle East that needs to be considered by the Security Council as well. President Rouhani is up to taking on the USA at the U.N. Security Council. The truth must be known. Please.
It is time to end this.
