Pakistan: German Jihadist Killed in US Drone Attack

Spiegelonline ^ | 4/30/2012 | Hubert Gude

[bruinbirdman]

A US Army drone strike in March killed a German citizen who had joined the jihad in Pakistan. His death has the potential to reignite the debate over the legitimacy of air strikes by unmanned drones and may increase diplomatic tensions with the US.

Diplomatic Powder Keg

On the morning of March 9, 29-year-old Samir H. was in a large pickup truck in southern Waziristan when a remote-controlled US Army drone, several kilometers high, took aim at the vehicle. Reports indicate that at least one of the three rockets launched by the drone hit the target and destroyed the pickup truck carrying up to 12 suspected Taliban and foreign fighters.

The fact that the strike killed a German national lends it diplomatic precarity. With its attacks in Waziristan, the United States has been operating in a gray zone of international law. On the one hand, members of the Afghan Taliban are hiding out in the region. On the other, however, Pakistan is officially at peace. Given these circumstances, is it still permissible to launch pre-emptive strikes using military means?

US President Barack Obama has answered this question with a clear "yes." In recent years, the American military's Joint Special Operations Command has massively increased the number of operations it conducts with unmanned aircrafts in the war on terror. Roughly 800 drones are currently in use in the Hindu Kush region and North Africa. According to one US study, some 2,000 people in Pakistan alone have been visited by death from the sky.

The case of Samir H. has been kept secret until now. But in Germany at least, it could reignite the debate over the legitimacy of America's air war. This isn't the first time that a German citizen has fallen victim to a drone attack. In

[Puckster]

“remote-controlled US Army drone, several kilometers high”

That’s a big drone Jim.

[onedoug]

At least hussein is killing islamists. Even if they’re islamists he doesn’t like.

[blueplum]

well, i guess the real question is, when is a “national” no longer a “national”? if a national joins a foreign armed force is that self rescission of citizenship, and all it’s protections, or is it not?

[MaxMax]

OMG, Bush is killing innocent allies! er.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks bruinbirdman.

On the morning of March 9, 29-year-old [German-born] Samir H. was in a large pickup truck in southern Waziristan when a remote-controlled US Army drone, several kilometers high, took aim at the vehicle. Reports indicate that at least one of the three rockets launched by the drone hit the target and destroyed the pickup truck carrying up to 12 suspected Taliban and foreign fighters.

I remember reading at the time how Helmut Schmidt tore Jimmuh Carter a new one over failure to inform the NATO allies about something. But anyway, nice shooting.

[bruinbirdman]

So the dead dude's mother is a German who marries a Tunesian living in Deutschland. After 25 years she converts to Mohammedism. Both of the kids bagged it to Pakistan to jihad.

Home grown Mohammedan terrorists. They were probably rejected by the Red Brigade.

yitbos

[Daaave]

Cirsten B. has lost two children to jihad. In the fall of 2009, they secretly slipped away to join the holy war.

Samir's mother is demanding that the German government launch an investigation into the attack. "That was murder," she claims.

These terrorists are killed in a war that they declared on the US, non-muslims and the rest of the world. They deserve to be annihilated.

[Daaave]

German investigating authorities considered Samir H. to be one
of the most dangerous Islamists in the country.

He talks about an ambush into which jihadists lured Pakistani
soldiers and claims that 20 of them were killed in the operation.

He says he's having "a good time."

[bruinbirdman]

"Helmut Schmidt tore Jimmuh Carter a new one over failure to inform the NATO allies about something"

Jimmuh seemed to have problems on the international front.

During the GW era, Pakistan declared much of the western "federally administered areas" to be terrorist strongholds. The government advised the population to get out, that everyone remaining must be considered a terrorist or sympathizer.

These areas were virtually declared "free fire areas."

This occurred at a time when the western press was emphasizing the number of "innocent" civilians being killed in raids on terrorists.

After the free fire area designation, of which the press was well aware, civilians were no longer designated as separate casualties.

It is interesting to note these days that U.S. caused civilian collateral damage is reported in Iraq and Afghanistan but not in Pakistan, Yemen, or Somalia.

yitbos

[BigCinBigD]

Back on March 9th? By now that must be one...Sour Kraut.

[Huaynero]

such a life, spends your money, take your chances. Like they say in the Rooshun navy, “Tough S**tski”

[luvbach1]

Part of the Jihad? No problem.

[49erDweet]

So some say a few Germans and/or Pakistanis might take offense because we killed this guy? Really? Wow. Thanks.
How about that Junior Seau tragedy? Wonder what that’s all about?

[ravager]

This is only the beginning. Muslims have spread themselves across US and Europe and are luring American and European women to convert them and breed with them. It is called "Love Jihad". And then they will recruit those American/European offsprings to fight the jihad against their own kind. It is a pure evil genius strategy.