Drone Roundup 20 – 24 March, 2020
This twice weekly roundup, curated by ReThink Media, looks at how the media is talking about drone warfare (and related topics) and what stories are being told.
With little transparency from governments on this topic, this roundup aims to be as comprehensive as possible, identifying breaking news, trends, developing stories, or interesting narratives. Rethink Media also use media coverage to compile a snapshot of strikes each week. The short version can be read here.
According to a Newsweek report, the US drone strike of Iranian General Soleimani was conducted in such secrecy that few knew about the plans. It was so hidden that not even the U.S. military’s own spy satellites were aware of its position.
While President Trump was getting ready to declare the coronavirus a “national emergency” last week, a fight erupted among him and his senior aides about whether the US should escalate military action against Iran.
Al-Shabab has issued specific new threats against Americans in East Africa and even the United States, which has prompted a recent flurry of American drone strikes in Somalia to snuff out the plotters, according to U.S. commandos, counterterrorism officials and intelligence analysts.
Timeline of Strikes
March 22: According to the Somali National Army, their “forces backed by international partners destroyed three bases used by [Al Shabab] in Bula Haji and Lagta Anole village. Six al-Shabab members, who were in a car, were killed in the airstrike.” [Xinhua]
March 22: An airstrike in Afghanistan’s northern province of Kunduz killed 11 members of one family, eyewitnesses told Sputnik (a Russian state-sponsored media outlet). [Urdupoint]