More drone attacks in Yemen

Today I read an article in the Washington Post which reported that a U.S. drone strike killed five al-Qaeda fighters on Thursday night last week. (Readers should note that al-Qaeda report that only 2 of their fighters were killed). This report of a US-led drone attack in Yemen is not the first I have read in recent months. Indeed, it seems there is a growing trend of drone attacks in the troubled country

Last week I posted on the intervention in Yemen led by the US and Yemen's Arabian Peninsula neighbours. At the time I commented how, whilst there are no US troops on the ground in Yemen, there is a increasing contingent of military advisers sent from Washington to Sanaa to help President Hadi in his fight against al-Qaeda. We should definitely keep an eye on the frequency of these US-led drone attacks in Yemen as it will provide an indication of the current scale of foreign intervention in the troubled country. It is also interesting to note that such drone attacks certainly point to the fact that the US role in Yemen is more than that of military consultant. I would argue that launching drone attacks against al-Qadea on Yemeni soil does constitute full-scale military intervention, irrespective of the presence of any US ground troops.

It is hard to see how Hadi could be anti the drone attacks. By accepting US help, the Yemeni president has diversified his military capabilities to include cutting edge military technology, surely a useful addition to one's arsenal when trying to fight al-Qaeda?

Benefits aside, the US and Hadi should remain savvy of the risks associated with drone attacks. If an error is made which kills civilians rather than al-Qaeda fighters this could play into the terrorist network's hands. An off-course drone could give al-Qaeda a trump card in the battle for hearts and minds as they could convince local civilian populations that Hadi's alliance with the US means more to the President than protecting his own people. 

For the time being, the regular news reports of drone attacks in Yemen would suggest that despite the associated risks, the decision has been taken to progress full steam ahead with the drone attacks.