Two U.S. Missile Attacks in Pakistan?

by Deb Cupples |  Yesterday, the Washington Post reported:

"At least 20 people were killed in northwest Pakistan near the border of Afghanistan on Friday in two suspected U.S. missile strikes, marking the first such attack in Pakistan's tribal areas since President Obama's inauguration."

"A U.S. Predator drone fired three missiles at a compound about two miles from the town of Mirali in the tribal area of North Waziristan about 5:15 p.m., according to a Pakistani security official and local residents. The precision strike leveled a compound, which was owned by local tribal elder Khalil Malik, killing at least 10 suspected militants, including five foreign nationals, according to the Pakistani security official. The site of the attack is about 30 miles east of the Afghan border."

The lack of certainty in the first paragraph ("suspected U.S. missile strikes") directly conflicts with the certainty of the second  ("A U.S. Predator Drone fired three missiles...)."

Either the U.S. sponsored the attacks or not.  If the Predator Drone was a piece of U.S. equipment, then it seems safe to say that the U.S. government did sponsor the attacks -- unless the equipment was stolen and used by non-U.S. forces.  

The Washington Post also states:

"The United States generally does not comment on or confirm whether it is behind missile attacks. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs refused to take questions about the incident at his regular briefing for reporters in Washington on Friday."

If a Pakistani official could see that U.S. equipment was used in the attack, then it seems a bit odd that U.S. officials are not commenting.  If the attacks were meant to be covert, then why are we  reading about them in the Washington Post?  Someone must have confirmed that U.S. officials were involved in the missile strikes.

Interestingly enough, there is conflicting information about the success of the strikes:

"The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said Malik was killed along with his brother and nephew. Authorities in North Waziristan, however, said they have been so far unable to identify any of those killed because militants immediately cordoned off the area. "I suspect a high-value target may be among the dead," the Pakistani security official said." (WaPo)

There's a whole lotta strange public relations going on -- that or strange reporting.

Memeorandum has commentary.

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