Terror

U.S. Hunts With Drones in Yemen

Without solid intelligence, planes hold fire.

For the first time in years, the U.S. is using Predator drones to hunt down al-Qaeda members in Yemen. But officials say that they lack enough intelligence to fire missiles. The unmanned aircraft are being used to strike back at a country which has been responsible for attempted attacks on American targets, including the recent effort to put bombs on cargo planes. The drones have patrolled Yemen's skies for several months, but leaders of the regional branch of al Qaeda are said to have gone into hiding. Yemeni officials are discouraging the U.S. from using drone attacks. Said one, "Why gain enemies now? Americans are not rejected in Yemen; the West is respected. Why waste all this for one or two strikes when you don't know who you're striking?"