US drone strike kills 18 in North Waziristan Fri Aug 24, 2012 12:37PM GMT Share U.S. assassination drone aircraft killed at least 18 people on Friday in an attack in northwest Pakistan, Pakistani officials said, just a day after the government summoned an American diplomat to protest drone strikes in the country’s northwest tribal region.
The strike took place at about noon time when U.S. drones reportedly fired at least two missiles at a living compound in the Shawal area of North Waziristan, destroying many houses inside the compound.
The U.S. has carried out seven drone strikes in the past week in North Waziristan, ignoring Pakistani protests that they violate the country's sovereignty, AP reported.
The attacks have exacerbated the already troubled relationship between the two countries, but the U.S. has refused to stop the strikes, saying they are vital to combating Taliban and al-Qaeda militants.
FACTS & FIGURES
Pakistan summoned a U.S. diplomat on Thursday to protest over drone strikes in its northwestern tribal area, which it called "unlawful", the foreign ministry said in a statement. AFP
The U.S. State department had confirmed the protests on Thursday. dawn.com
The August 24 strike is 11th in Pakistan since June 4. longwarjournal.org
In June Richard Hoagland, the U.S. charge d'affaires -- currently the most senior U.S. diplomat stationed in Pakistan -- was summoned to the foreign ministry to hear a protest about drones. AFP
Attacks by unmanned American aircraft are deeply unpopular in Pakistan, which says they violate its sovereignty and fan anti-U.S. sentiment. AFP
Pakistani local sources say more than 2,800 civilians have died in the drone attacks since seven years ago.
AN/ARA/HJ