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Yemen al-Qaeda: US says raid was 'very thought-out process' | Yemen al-Qaeda: US says raid was 'very thought-out process' |
(35 minutes later) | |
The White House has said a raid in Yemen on an al-Qaeda stronghold that likely killed civilians was a "very thought-out process". | The White House has said a raid in Yemen on an al-Qaeda stronghold that likely killed civilians was a "very thought-out process". |
As many as 23 civilians were killed in the raid on a village in Yakla district on Saturday, including 10 children, rights group Reprieve says. | As many as 23 civilians were killed in the raid on a village in Yakla district on Saturday, including 10 children, rights group Reprieve says. |
Yemeni reports say the victims included the daughter of Anwar al-Awlaki, a militant killed by a US strike in 2011. | |
The raid was the first such operation authorised by President Donald Trump. | The raid was the first such operation authorised by President Donald Trump. |
The US military had previously said a Navy Seal died and three others were injured. But the US Central Command (Centcom) later said that those killed could include children. | The US military had previously said a Navy Seal died and three others were injured. But the US Central Command (Centcom) later said that those killed could include children. |
Several Apache helicopters were reported to have taken part in the operation, which killed 14 militants, including three al-Qaeda leaders, according to the US military. | Several Apache helicopters were reported to have taken part in the operation, which killed 14 militants, including three al-Qaeda leaders, according to the US military. |
White House spokesman Sean Spicer told journalists: "It's hard to ever call something a complete success when you have a loss of life or people injured." | White House spokesman Sean Spicer told journalists: "It's hard to ever call something a complete success when you have a loss of life or people injured." |
"But I think when you look at the totality of what was gained to prevent the future loss of life... I think it's a successful operation in all standards." | "But I think when you look at the totality of what was gained to prevent the future loss of life... I think it's a successful operation in all standards." |
He made no mention of civilian victims. | He made no mention of civilian victims. |
Earlier on Thursday, Reprieve said a newborn baby was among 10 children killed in the attack. | Earlier on Thursday, Reprieve said a newborn baby was among 10 children killed in the attack. |
It also cited local reports as saying that a heavily pregnant woman was shot in the stomach during the raid and subsequently gave birth to an injured baby boy who later died. | It also cited local reports as saying that a heavily pregnant woman was shot in the stomach during the raid and subsequently gave birth to an injured baby boy who later died. |
Images of several dead children emerged on social media soon after the attack took place. | Images of several dead children emerged on social media soon after the attack took place. |
Earlier this week, Pentagon spokesman Capt Jeff Davis told reporters to "take reports of female casualties with a grain of salt", adding that they had been "trained to be ready and trained to be combatants". | Earlier this week, Pentagon spokesman Capt Jeff Davis told reporters to "take reports of female casualties with a grain of salt", adding that they had been "trained to be ready and trained to be combatants". |
But US military Central Command on Wednesday acknowledged that a number of civilians had been "likely killed in the midst of a firefight". | But US military Central Command on Wednesday acknowledged that a number of civilians had been "likely killed in the midst of a firefight". |
Al-Qaeda has taken advantage of the civil war in Yemen to entrench its presence in the south and south-east of the country. | Al-Qaeda has taken advantage of the civil war in Yemen to entrench its presence in the south and south-east of the country. |
For the past two years, Yemen has been embroiled in fighting between forces loyal to the internationally recognised president, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, and Shia Houthi rebels. | For the past two years, Yemen has been embroiled in fighting between forces loyal to the internationally recognised president, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, and Shia Houthi rebels. |