New York human rights groups Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the Yemeni government's acknowledgment that an airstrike killed more than 42 civilians in December 2009 is a “stark reminder” that careful targeting plays a vital role in counterterrorism measures. Yemen has been in the midst of what analysts say is a major resurgence of al-Qaeda in the country. On March 3, deputy prime minister for defense and security, Rashad al-Alimi, apologized to families for the deaths that resulted from the attack. According to the Yemeni government the strike was supposed to target al-Qaeda operatives. The December 17 strike in southern Abyan was widely reported to have been assisted by the US. Al-Alimi described the killings as “mistakes†and offered the families compensation. “Civilian deaths in counterterrorism operations can have a strikingly counterproductive impact,†said Joanne Mariner, terrorism and counterterrorism director at Human Rights Watch. “The US has learned the hard way that such deaths can anger and alienate people who normally would not support groups such as al Qaeda.†When the attack first hit the media, government authorities said 34 al-Qaeda members had been killed. Days later, the number was reduced to 14 al-Qaeda members had been killed. The United States is currently doubling counterterrorism assistance in the Gulf nation, HRW said. The rights group called on both countries to heed US General Stanley McChrystal's directive from 2009 on the lessons that have been learned from Afghanistan. “We must avoid the trap of winning tactical victories – but suffering strategic defeats – by causing civilian casualties or excessive damage and thus alienating the people,†General McChrystal wrote. The US and Yemeni governments have worked together closely in using air power against the Yemen-based branch of al-Qaeda. These attacks have been particularly strong in areas outside the central government’s authority “where ordinary law enforcement operations are difficult.” In its press statement, HRW said that the “lack of a ground presence increases the risk of poor intelligence, and of local actors manipulating intelligence for their own purposes.” HRW is “particularly concerned about the potential for manipulation because of Yemen’s inconsistent approach to confronting al-Qaeda in the past and its history of resorting to repressive measures to quell political dissent.” “Many Yemenis fear the Yemeni government more than they fear al-Qaeda,†Mariner said. “The US and Yemen should take all feasible precautions to ensure that counterterrorism operations do not harm the very people they aim to protect.†BM
