Terrorism is a menace that keeps the world on edge because no one can predict when or where it will unleash its venom and in what fashion. Therefore, the massive airstrike by the United States against the al-Qaeda outfit in Yemen is not strange. The 20 airstrikes were carried out in coordination with the Yemen government and aircraft both manned and unmanned were deployed to target the militants, their equipment, infrastructure, heavy weapons systems and fighting positions. The intention was to inflict maximum possible damage and cripple the outfit.
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula or AQAP in Yemen is believed to have made that country a safe haven by taking advantage of the ongoing civil war in the region. They feel it is a safe place from where they can launch their nefarious activities directed against America and its allies.
Why the airstrike on Yemen
In a previous raid in January, an officer of the United States was killed along with other service members and civilians and an aircraft was also lost. The US is believed to have collected useful data on the al-Qaeda in that operation covering a wide spectrum of information from location of additional safe havens to manufacturing of explosives, training and targets.
A US defense official has clarified that the latest multiple airstrikes in Yemen had been on the cards for quite some time and was not related to the raid in January.
However, the intelligence gathered in the January raid could be used for subsequent attacks.
Was the January raid necessary?
President Donald Trump has defended the January raid in his address to Congress and has said that it was an operation that helped acquire vital information pertaining to al-Qaeda intelligence and is expected to lead to many more future victories against the enemies.
He lauded the work of the slain officer but, the officer’s father wants an investigation in the matter.
Questions have been raised by lawmakers and also critics of Trump – they want to know the value of the intelligence gathered in January and also, whether the risks associated with it justified the costs. People must realize that any raid in enemy territory will be veiled in secrecy and risks will be involved. They must have faith in the authority that took the decision.
