23 June 2009 Makeen airstrike
Encyclopedia
23 June 2009 Makeen airstrike was an attack launched by United States drones on a funeral procession in the city of Makeen
in South Waziristan
, Pakistan
. The attack targeted a funeral procession of militants killed earlier in the day in a prior similar strike by drones. About 60 people were reported killed in what is considered perhaps the deadliest strike since the drone attacks started. Other sources claimed up to 83 people were dead. There were reports that Baitullah Mehsud
was in the area but escaped unhurt while his deputy Qari Hussain
was killed, although this has been disputed. Hussain later phoned reporters to prove he was still alive. The drones fired missiles when Sangeen Khan, an Afghan commander belonging to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan
, was holding a meeting soon after the funeral of an associate of Baitullah Mehsud.
Makeen
Makeen or Makin, is a small town in South Waziristan, Pakistan, located on the Y-junction between Sararogha and Wana, just south of Razmak in North Waziristan. It is mainly populated by members of the Mehsud tribe. The Pakistani military has called it "the nerve center" of the Pakistani Taliban...
in South Waziristan
South Waziristan
South Waziristan is the southern part of Waziristan, a mountainous region of northwest Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan and covering some 11,585 km² . Waziristan comprises the area west and southwest of Peshawar between the Tochi River to the north and the Gomal River to the south, forming...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. The attack targeted a funeral procession of militants killed earlier in the day in a prior similar strike by drones. About 60 people were reported killed in what is considered perhaps the deadliest strike since the drone attacks started. Other sources claimed up to 83 people were dead. There were reports that Baitullah Mehsud
Baitullah Mehsud
Baitullah Mehsud was a leading militant in Waziristan, Pakistan, and the leader of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan . He formed the TTP from an alliance of about five militant groups in December 2007. He is thought by U.S...
was in the area but escaped unhurt while his deputy Qari Hussain
Qari Hussain
Qari Hussain Ahmad Mehsud was a top lieutenant in the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and the organizer of the group's suicide bombing squads. He was a cousin of Hakimullah Mehsud.- Operations :...
was killed, although this has been disputed. Hussain later phoned reporters to prove he was still alive. The drones fired missiles when Sangeen Khan, an Afghan commander belonging to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan , alternatively referred to as the Pakistani Taliban, is an umbrella organization of various Islamist militant groups based in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas along the Afghan border in Pakistan. Most, but not all, Pakistani Taliban groups coalesce under the TTP...
, was holding a meeting soon after the funeral of an associate of Baitullah Mehsud.