Democracy Now

Evelyn Espinoza

Democracy Now

 

The video “Turning Wedding into a Funeral: U.S. Drone Strike in Yemen Killed as Many as 12 Civilians” dealt with an attack on vehicles that were part of a wedding procession. It has been stated that some if not all killed were civilians and not members of the armed group al-Qaeda. A witness of the incident stated, “The U.S. government made a big mistake. They killed innocent people. This was a serious crime. They turned many kids into orphans, many wives into widows. Many were killed, and many others were injured, although everyone was innocent.” The strike may have violated international laws and also Obama’s policies on targeted killings. He has gone on record saying that the U.S. does not strike unless near certain that no civilians are within the proximity but yet the incident in Yemen contradicted that. The reports are subject to criticism as contradictions are apparent between Yemeni officials and local officials. Another video titled, “Did an 8-Year-Old Spy for America? U.S. Drone Killed Yemeni Man After Boy Planted Tracking Chip” the U.S was able to target an al-Qaeda member by convincing an 8 year old t place a tracking device on the suspect who he considered his surrogate father.  Once the tracking device was placed the U.S. was able to track him down and kill him with a missile. The boy was taken in by the individual and convinced the little boy to place the tracking chip, which resulted in his death.  The boy and the biological father were then kidnapped by the al-Qaeda and they later killed his biological father. Unfortunately this little boy is now orphaned with the loss of both his surrogate and biological father. A confession video was done of the boy and his biological father by the al-Qaeda.

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/21/turning_a_wedding_into_a_funeral

http://www.democracynow.org/2013/8/16/did_an_8_year_old_spy