Pakistan: A UAV Strike Backfires

An alleged U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) strike against a funeral procession in the Pakistani region of South Waziristan on June 23 targeted Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader Baitullah Mehsud, but did not kill him. Instead, it has caused more casualties than any suspected U.S. UAV strike since 2006. This strike, which Pakistani locals and media said was carried out by a U.S. UAV, likely will reinforce perception in Pakistan's tribal area that the Pakistani military is putting U.S. interests ahead of the lives of Pakistani citizens. The strike likely will diminish public support for Pakistan's nascent military offensive in Waziristan and will most likely lead to reprisal attacks in the near future.