Complete coverage on

Drone Attacks

Latest Stories

Suspected drone attack kills 10 in Pakistanupdated: Fri Aug 24 2012 07:52:00

A suspected U.S. drone strike killed at least 10 militants Friday in northwest Pakistan's tribal area, bordering Afghanistan, officials said.

U.S. drone attack kills 5, officials say updated: Sat Aug 18 2012 04:25:00

A U.S. drone attack killed at least five militants Saturday in northwest Pakistan's tribal area, two local officials said.

'Drones completely counterproductive'updated: Thu Aug 16 2012 11:12:00

Pakistan's ambassador to the U.S., Sherry Rehman, says the drone program is counterproductive to all her country's goals.

Pakistan spy agency chief to tell CIA: End drone strikes; ID targets for us to attackupdated: Tue Jul 24 2012 05:25:00

The new chief of Pakistan's spy agency will urge the United States to end drone strikes on Pakistani soil and identify targets that the country's security forces can then attack, a senior intelligence official said.

Taliban's vaccine ban may affect 280,000 childrenupdated: Tue Jul 17 2012 05:13:00

A ban on polio vaccinations imposed by the Taliban could affect about 280,000 children living in tribal areas of northwest Pakistan, according to estimates from the World Health Organization.

Civilian casualties plummet in drone strikesupdated: Fri Jul 13 2012 17:15:00

Last week, a U.S. drone attack killed 19 suspected Taliban militants at a compound in North Waziristan on the Afghan border, according to Pakistani intelligence officials.

Pros and cons of dronesupdated: Tue Jul 03 2012 17:41:00

Rep. Peter King (R) and Rep Lynn Woolsey (D) on the pros and cons of drones used overseas and in the U.S.

Drones decimating Taliban in Pakistanupdated: Tue Jul 03 2012 17:41:00

On Sunday a missile launched from a U.S. drone struck a house in Pakistan's remote tribal agency of North Waziristan, killing eight suspected militants, most of whom were loyal to the Pakistani Taliban commander, Hafiz Gul Bahadur. Bahadur has reportedly overseen multiple attacks against NATO troops in Afghanistan.

Obama leak 'scandal' is wildly overblownupdated: Thu Jun 21 2012 11:32:00

On Monday, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney called for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate a series of recent leaks that critics charge are designed to bolster the national security credentials of the Obama administration.

Taliban to U.S.: End drone strikes in Pakistan, or no more polio vaccines updated: Mon Jun 18 2012 10:52:00

A Taliban commander in northwest Pakistan has announced a ban on polio vaccines for children as long as the United States continues its campaign of drone strikes in the region, according to a statement by the Taliban.

Officials: U.S. drone strikes kill suspected militants in Yemenupdated: Wed Jun 13 2012 16:31:00

U.S. drone strikes targeted al Qaeda hideouts in southern Yemen on Wednesday, killing 27 suspected militants, local government officials said.

Obama ramps up covert war in Yemenupdated: Tue Jun 12 2012 08:39:00

President Obama is celebrated and criticized for greatly accelerating the number of CIA drone attacks in Pakistan, but the similar covert war that he has launched in Yemen has received considerably less attention.

Suicide blast kills 100+ troops in Yemenupdated: Tue Jun 12 2012 08:39:00

An attack aimed at the heart of Yemeni military causes casualties in Yemen's capital. CNN's Fionnuala Sweeney reports.

Panetta: U.S. running out of patience with Pakistan on militant havensupdated: Thu Jun 07 2012 13:59:00

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned Thursday that the United States was "reaching the limits of our patience" with Pakistan over militants that attack U.S. forces in neighboring Afghanistan from havens within its borders.

And now, only one senior al Qaeda leader leftupdated: Wed Jun 06 2012 05:48:00

The news that Abu Yahya al-Libi, the No.2 leader of al Qaeda, is now confirmed to have been killed in a CIA drone strike in Pakistan's tribal region along the border with Afghanistan further underlines that the terrorist group that launched the 9/11 attacks is now more or less out of business.

U.S. official: Al Qaeda leader killed in CIA drone strike in Pakistanupdated: Tue Jun 05 2012 14:39:00

Abu Yahya al-Libi, the No. 2 man in al Qaeda and a longtime public face of the terror network, has been killed by a CIA drone strike in Pakistan launched Monday, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

Lawmaker: US should cut aid to Pakistanupdated: Mon Jun 04 2012 02:43:00

Rep. Rohrabacher believes Pakistan was giving safe haven to Osama bin Laden and has proven to be an enemy to the U.S.

Official: 15 militants killed in suspected U.S. drone strike in Pakistanupdated: Mon Jun 04 2012 02:43:00

A suspected U.S. drone strike in northwestern Pakistan on Monday morning killed 15 militants and wounded three others, a local government official said, the third such deadly attack in as many days.

9 militants in Pakistan killed in suspected U.S. drone strike, official saysupdated: Sun Jun 03 2012 04:18:00

A suspected U.S. drone strike killed nine militants in Pakistan's tribal region on Sunday, the second such attack in 24 hours in the region, a local government official said.

2 militants in Pakistan killed in drone strikeupdated: Sat Jun 02 2012 13:25:00

A suspected U.S. drone strike in Pakistan killed two militants in Pakistan's tribal region on Saturday, a local government official said.

Drone stike kills at least 2 in Pakistan, official says updated: Sat May 26 2012 02:27:00

A suspected U.S. drone strike killed at least two militants Saturday morning in Pakistan's tribal region, a local official said.

8 killed in drone strike in Pakistan's tribal regionupdated: Thu May 24 2012 05:34:00

A suspected U.S. drone fired two missiles at a militant hideout in Pakistan's tribal region on Thursday, killing eight people, a senior local official said.

4 killed in drone strike in Pakistanupdated: Wed May 23 2012 01:02:00

At least four militants were killed Wednesday after a suspected U.S. drone strike in Pakistan, two Pakistani intelligence officials said.

Yemeni military kills 24 suspected al Qaeda militantsupdated: Sun May 13 2012 19:12:00

Government troops in southern Yemen on Sunday attacked al Qaeda hideouts, killing two dozen suspected militants in the latest push to clear the area of the terror organization, local security officials said.

Drone strikes kill suspected al Qaeda militants in Yemenupdated: Sun May 13 2012 06:35:00

A pair of U.S. drone strikes killed 11 suspected al Qaeda militants Saturday in Yemen's Mareb province, part of a continuing air campaign targeting the terror organization, security officials said.

Drone strike kills 8 militants in south Yemenupdated: Thu May 10 2012 09:00:00

A U.S. drone strike killed eight militants in southern Yemen on Thursday morning, the latest hit in an intensified U.S. air camaign against al Qaeda and its affiliates in the area, security officials said.

Pakistani officials: Suspected U.S. drone strike kills 9 militantsupdated: Sat May 05 2012 01:08:00

A suspected U.S. drone strike killed nine people Saturday in an attack that targeted a militant compound in Pakistan's volatile tribal region, authorities said.

Pakistan condemns suspected U.S. drone strike that kills 3updated: Mon Apr 30 2012 05:25:00

Pakistan is condemning a suspected U.S. drone strike in one of its tribal regions that killed three people, raising questions about whether it will derail efforts between Islamabad and Washington to ease tensions over such attacks.

Pakistani officials: Suspected U.S. drone strike kills militants hiding in high schoolupdated: Sun Apr 29 2012 11:07:00

A suspected U.S. drone strike killed three people Sunday at a high school in northern Pakistan where militants were hiding, intelligence officials said.

Pakistan agrees to re-engage with U.S., sets conditionsupdated: Fri Apr 13 2012 12:27:00

Pakistan's parliament set out new guidelines for its relations with the United States, as it agreed to re-engage with Washington after months of tension over deadly airstrikes on a Pakistani border post by NATO forces and other issues.

Drone strike hits Pakistani tribal regionupdated: Fri Mar 30 2012 05:47:00

A drone strike took place early Friday in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region of North Waziristan near the border with Afghanistan, a Pakistani military official said.

CIA drone war in Pakistan in sharp declineupdated: Wed Mar 28 2012 05:54:00

The past year has seen the number of CIA drone strikes in Pakistan plummet. In the first three months of 2012, there were 11, compared with 21 in the first three months of 2011 and a record 28 in the first quarter of 2010.

Obama calls for 'balanced approach' to U.S.-Pakistan relationsupdated: Tue Mar 27 2012 06:03:00

President Barack Obama expressed hope Tuesday that the United States and Pakistan can arrive at a "balanced approach" to relations as he met with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for the first time since a string of damaging episodes last year.

Pakistan lawmakers to debate end to U.S. drone strikesupdated: Mon Mar 26 2012 13:12:00

Pakistan's parliament is expected this week to debate a committee's recommendation that the United States stop drone strikes inside its territory and apologize unconditionally for airstrikes last year that killed two dozen Pakistani soldiers.

4 killed in suicide attack in Yemenupdated: Wed Mar 14 2012 04:49:00

Four soldiers in Yemen were killed and seven others injured Tuesday morning when a suicide bomber attacked a checkpoint in the province of al-Baitha, two security officials said.

5 killed in drone attack in Pakistanupdated: Tue Mar 13 2012 05:04:00

A suspected U.S. drone strike killed five alleged militants in Pakistan's tribal region bordering Afghanistan on Tuesday, two intelligence officials said.

Suspected drone attacks kills 14 militants in Pakistanupdated: Fri Mar 09 2012 13:59:00

Two suspected U.S. drone strikes killed 14 militants in Pakistan's tribal region on Friday, two Pakistani intelligence officials told CNN

U.S. drone crashes in Pakistanupdated: Sat Feb 25 2012 14:36:00

A U.S. drone crashed Saturday in Pakistan's tribal region, U.S. and Pakistani officials said.

U.S. drone strikes kill 12 in Pakistan, officials say updated: Thu Feb 16 2012 08:39:00

Two U.S. drone strikes killed 12 suspected insurgents Thursday morning in Pakistan's tribal region along the Afghan border, two Pakistani intelligence officials said.

Drones to enter U.S. airspaceupdated: Thu Feb 16 2012 02:23:00

Imagine a future when unmanned drones dot the skies above you. CNN's Athena Jones reports.

Officials: Drone strike in Pakistan kills 4 updated: Thu Feb 09 2012 06:21:00

A suspected U.S. drone strike killed four people in Pakistan's tribal region Thursday morning, Pakistani officials told CNN.

Yemeni officials: 9 killed in air strikes in area linked to al Qaedaupdated: Tue Jan 31 2012 17:12:00

Three suspected air strikes hit militant targets in southern Yemen Monday night and Tuesday morning, killing at least nine people believed to be linked to al Qaeda, Yemeni security officials said.

Obama confirms Pakistan drone strikesupdated: Tue Jan 31 2012 16:53:00

Some are saying that the White House shared too much by confirming the CIA is conducting drone strikes in Pakistan.

Obama's drone comment was no slip-up, official saysupdated: Tue Jan 31 2012 16:53:00

President Barack Obama's public acknowledgment of drone attacks in Pakistan was no accident, a senior administration official said Tuesday.

Drone strike kills 4 in Pakistan, officials sayupdated: Mon Jan 23 2012 12:31:00

A suspected U.S. drone fired two missiles at a vehicle in Pakistan's northwest tribal region on Monday, killing at least four suspected militants, intelligence officials said.

U.S. strike kills al Qaeda operative, official saysupdated: Thu Jan 19 2012 19:40:00

A senior al Qaeda operations planner was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan last week, according to a U.S. official.

Militants killed in Pakistan drone strikeupdated: Fri Jan 13 2012 05:33:00

A drone strike in Pakistan's tribal region killed at least eight militants Thursday, Pakistani intelligence officials said.

U.S. launches first drone strike since deadly November attackupdated: Wed Jan 11 2012 01:38:00

The United States has launched its first drone attack in Pakistan after more than a month-long lull, killing at least four suspected militants, CNN has confirmed.

U.S. pauses drone strikes in Pakistanupdated: Sat Dec 24 2011 15:34:00

The U.S. acknowledgment of an ongoing six-week suspension of drone strikes in Pakistan came Saturday amid White House efforts to repair a relationship damaged when 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed in a U.S. airstrike last month.

Ahmadinejad: Iran can control U.S. droneupdated: Tue Dec 13 2011 19:32:00

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Iran can control the U.S. drone brought down in its country. CNN's Brian Todd reports.

U.S. drone crashes in Seychellesupdated: Tue Dec 13 2011 17:37:00

A U.S. Air Force drone crashed Tuesday in the African island nation of Seychelles, an Air Force spokesman said.

Al-Awlaki's father denies endorsing terrorupdated: Thu Dec 08 2011 20:49:00

Weeks after Anwar al-Awlaki was killed by a U.S. drone strike in Yemen, his father is sparking controversy as radical Muslim groups claim he is now supporting his son's terror tactics against the West.

Drone strike kills 6 militants in Pakistan: officialsupdated: Thu Nov 17 2011 07:48:00

A suspected U.S. drone strike in Pakistan's tribal region killed six suspected militants on Thursday, intelligence officials told CNN.

18 killed in suspected U.S. drone attacks in Pakistan updated: Wed Nov 16 2011 02:59:00

Suspected U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan's tribal region killed 18 alleged militants Tuesday night, intelligence officials told CNN.

6 killed in suspected U.S. drone attack in Pakistan updated: Tue Nov 15 2011 00:12:00

A suspected U.S. drone strike in Pakistan's tribal region killed six suspected militants on Tuesday, intelligence officials told CNN.

3 killed in suspected U.S. drone attack in Pakistan updated: Thu Nov 03 2011 12:56:00

Pakistani intelligence officials say a suspected U.S. drone attack in Pakistan's North Waziristan district killed three people and injured two others.

Sources: 2 militants killed in Pakistan by suspected U.S. droneupdated: Mon Oct 31 2011 12:35:00

A suspected U.S. drone strike in Pakistan's tribal region killed two suspected militants on Monday, intelligence officials told CNN.

Suspected U.S. drone strike kills 4 in Pakistan updated: Sun Oct 30 2011 03:25:00

A suspected U.S. drone strike in Pakistan's tribal region killed four people Sunday, intelligence officials told CNN.

Suspected U.S. drone strikes kill 9 people updated: Thu Oct 27 2011 14:10:00

Two suspected U.S. drone strikes killed nine people Thursday in Pakistan's tribal region, officials said, less than a week after U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited the nation.

The scary prospect of global drone warfareupdated: Wed Oct 19 2011 14:26:00

Drone technology is spreading rapidly. As many as 50 countries are developing or purchasing these systems, including China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and Iran.

Official: Drone attack kills Al-Awlaki's son in Yemen updated: Sat Oct 15 2011 06:06:00

The son of U.S.-born militant cleric Anwar Al-Awlaki was among those killed in a trio of drone attacks in southern Yemen on Friday night, a security official said.

Virus infects program that controls U.S. dronesupdated: Mon Oct 10 2011 22:04:00

The systems that control U.S. military drones have been infected with a computer virus, a U.S. defense official confirmed to CNN on Monday.

Virus infects U.S. military dronesupdated: Mon Oct 10 2011 22:04:00

The "cockpits" of U.S. military drones are infected with a computer virus. Chris Lawrence reports.

Computer virus hits U.S. drone fleetupdated: Mon Oct 10 2011 11:11:00

A computer virus has infected the cockpits of America's Predator and Reaper drones, logging pilots' every keystroke as they remotely fly missions over Afghanistan and other warzones.

Sources: German al-Qaeda member killed in 9/11 drone attackupdated: Wed Oct 05 2011 13:21:00

A German national, Mohammad-Al-Faateh, was among the dead when an alleged U.S. drone struck three suspected militants in northwest Pakistan September 11, Pakistani intelligence sources told CNN Wednesday.

A rundown of the 'dirty dozens' in the war on terrorupdated: Fri Sep 30 2011 15:50:00

Ten years after the devastating attacks on America, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta recently said the United States is "within reach of strategically defeating al-Qaeda."

Officials: Suspected drone strikes kill 3 in Pakistan updated: Fri Sep 30 2011 06:02:00

A suspected U.S. drone fired two missiles at a vehicle in northwest Pakistan, killing three suspected militants, Pakistani intelligence officials said Friday.

2 militants killed in drone attack in Pakistanupdated: Tue Sep 27 2011 14:13:00

Two militants were killed Tuesday in a drone attack in South Waziristan, a volatile tribal region in Northwest Pakistan, intelligence officials told CNN.

Officials: 3 militants killed in drone strike in Pakistanupdated: Fri Sep 23 2011 14:22:00

A drone strike killed three militants in a volatile tribal region in northwest Pakistan, intelligence officials from that nation said Friday.

Drone strike kills 3 in northwest Pakistanupdated: Sun Sep 11 2011 15:27:00

A suspected U.S. drone strike three people Sunday in North Waziristan, a volatile tribal region in northwest Pakistan, Pakistani intelligence officials said.

U.S.-Pakistan: Divorce is not an optionupdated: Thu Sep 01 2011 10:32:00

Pakistan, and Pakistani-American relations, confront their worst crises in recent memory.

Pakistan military: US drone crashes near Afghan borderupdated: Thu Aug 25 2011 14:10:00

An unmanned U.S. drone crashed in southwest Pakistan near the Afghan border Thursday night, the Pakistani military said.

Suspected drone strike kills 4 in northwest Pakistan, officials sayupdated: Mon Aug 22 2011 23:48:00

A suspected U.S. drone strike killed four suspected militants in northwestern Pakistan on Monday night, Pakistani intelligence officials told CNN.

Officials: Drone strike kills 4 suspected militants in Pakistanupdated: Fri Aug 19 2011 07:06:00

A suspected U.S. drone strike in Pakistan's tribal region killed four suspected militants on Friday, intelligence officials told CNN.

U.S. denies report alleging drone strikes kill 160 kids in Pakistanupdated: Fri Aug 12 2011 15:16:00

A senior U.S. official is dismissing a report that says covert American drone strikes in Pakistan have killed 385 civilians, nearly half of them children, saying the findings by the London-based Bureau for Investigative Journalism are faulty and uncorroborated.

Report: Hundreds killed in drone strikesupdated: Fri Aug 12 2011 15:16:00

A Pakistani lawyer discusses a new report claming U.S. drone attacks have killed hundreds of civilians.

Officials: Toll from drone strike in Pakistan reaches 20updated: Wed Aug 10 2011 03:09:00

The death toll from a suspected U.S. drone strike on alleged pro-Taliban militants in Pakistan's tribal region climbed to 20, Pakistani intelligence officials said.

4 militants slain in Pakistan drone strikesupdated: Tue Aug 02 2011 22:59:00

A drone strike in Pakistan's tribal region killed four militants Tuesday, two Pakistani intelligence officials said.

6 killed in suspected drone strike in Pakistanupdated: Mon Aug 01 2011 05:48:00

A suspected U.S. drone strike in Pakistan's tribal region killed six alleged militants on Monday, intelligence officials told CNN.

Massive demonstrations turn deadly in Yemenupdated: Sun Jul 17 2011 04:37:00

Tribesmen intent on ending the regime of President Ali Abdullah Saleh fought Friday with government forces, resulting in at least four deaths in the city of Taiz, according to medical staff in Freedom Square.

21 killed in suspected drone strikes in Pakistanupdated: Tue Jul 12 2011 11:19:00

Two suspected U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan's tribal region killed 21 alleged militants Tuesday, intelligence officials said.

Pakistani officials: Suspected U.S. drone strike kills 5updated: Mon Jul 11 2011 13:33:00

Five suspected militants were killed Monday in a suspected U.S. drone strike targeting a vehicle in North Waziristan, two Pakistani intelligence officials told CNN.

Three killed in Pakistan drone strikeupdated: Tue Jul 05 2011 15:38:00

Three people were killed and five were injured in a suspected U.S. drone strike on what U.S. officials called a Pakistani safe haven for al Qaeda-linked militants, intelligence officials told CNN.

Flying lessons: Learning how to pilot a droneupdated: Thu Jun 30 2011 08:32:00

Police and military forces are increasingly reliant on unmanned aerial vehicles to do jobs deemed too risky for humans to do in person, with drones regularly used in surveillance and warfare, from Liverpool to Libya.

How easy is it to fly a drone? (No audio)updated: Thu Jun 30 2011 08:32:00

Police and military forces worldwide rely on unmanned aerial vehicles for surveillance, so how easy is it to fly a drone?

Two suspected U.S. drone strikes kill 19 in Pakistanupdated: Mon Jun 27 2011 14:59:00

Two suspected U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan's tribal region killed six suspected militants and 13 people respectively on Monday, intelligence officials told CNN.

Drones soar in U.S. plans for future aircraft purchasesupdated: Fri Jun 10 2011 12:57:00

The military is dramatically upping its investment in drones over the next nine years, according to Pentagon plans.

Officials: Suspected U.S. drone attack kills 23 in Pakistanupdated: Thu Jun 09 2011 01:19:00

A suspected U.S. drone strike in Pakistan's tribal region on Wednesday killed 23 suspected militants, intelligence officials told CNN.

Pakistani officials: Suspected U.S. drone strike kills 17 militantsupdated: Mon Jun 06 2011 09:40:00

A suspected drone strike Monday killed 17 people in a volatile northwest Pakistani tribal region that borders Afghanistan, two Pakistani intelligence officials told CNN.

Pakistani officials: Suspected U.S. drone strikes kills 21 militantsupdated: Mon Jun 06 2011 03:57:00

Three suspected drone strikes Monday killed 21 people in a volatile northwest Pakistani tribal region that borders Afghanistan, two Pakistani intelligence officials told CNN.

Pakistani officials: Suspected U.S. strike kills 8 at militant hideoutupdated: Sat Jun 04 2011 05:08:00

A suspected U.S. drone strike in Pakistan's tribal region killed eight suspected militants on Friday night, intelligence officials told CNN Saturday.

Washington to reduce military presence in Pakistanupdated: Thu May 26 2011 01:19:00

The United States is reducing its military presence in Pakistan at the request of that country's government, a Pentagon spokesman said Wednesday.

Musharraf: Bin Laden raid 'act of war'updated: Thu May 26 2011 01:19:00

Fmr. Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf says the Osama bin Laden raid was 'arrogant' and technically an 'act of war.'

Protesters in Pakistan block trucks, demand end to drone strikesupdated: Sun May 22 2011 14:59:00

Protesters in Pakistan held a sit-in near the country's main port Sunday, demanding an end to U.S. drone strikes.

U.S. intensifies drone blitz in Pakistan, source saysupdated: Fri May 20 2011 10:58:00

A suspected U.S. drone strike in Pakistan's tribal region killed four suspected militants Friday, intelligence officials said.

U.S. drone strikes pick up after Osama bin Laden's deathupdated: Mon May 16 2011 14:38:00

The United States has sent drones to strike at suspected militants in Pakistan five times in the last 11 days, nearly triple the pace prior to the successful May 1 raid to kill Osama bin Laden.

U.S., Pakistan must heal relationship, Sen. Kerry saysupdated: Mon May 16 2011 14:34:00

The United States need not apologize to Pakistan for the successful raid that killed terror mastermind Osama bin Laden, but it is important that the countries find a way to mend their frayed relationship in the wake of the attack, U.S. Sen. John Kerry said Monday during a visit to Islamabad.

Pakistan playing double game on terror?updated: Mon May 16 2011 14:34:00

CNN's John King reports on Pakistan's professed commitment to fight terrorism and past links to militants.

Pakistan's parliament condemns U.S. raid, threatens sanctionsupdated: Sat May 14 2011 09:24:00

Pakistan's parliament threatened Saturday to cut off access to a facility used by NATO forces to ferry troops into Afghanistan, signaling a growing rift that began when U.S. commandos killed Osama bin Laden during a raid on a Pakistani compound.

Why Pakistan shouldn't accept U.S. aidupdated: Sat May 14 2011 09:24:00

CNN's Becky Anderson spoke to Pakistan's Imran Khan on why he thinks Pakistan shouldn't accept U.S. aid.

We recommend