Momina Bibi – Assassinated by a US Drone Authorized by Leon Panetta
Only a year ago while you, Leon Panetta, were in charge of all US military operations as Secretary of “Defense,” this elderly grandmother and midwife was murdered by a US Drone in Waziristan (Pakistan). Here is her daughter’s story.
“The last time I saw my mother, Momina Bibi, was the evening before Eid al-Adha. She was preparing my children’s clothing and showing them how to make sewaiyaan, a traditional sweet made of milk. She always used to say: the joy of Eid is the excitement it brings to the children.”
“Last year, she never had that experience. The next day, 24 October 2012, she was dead, killed by a US drone that rained fire down upon her as she tended her garden. “
“Nobody has ever told me why my mother was targeted that day. The media reported that the attack was on a car, but there is no road alongside my mother’s house. Several reported the attack was on a house. But the missiles hit a nearby field, not a house. All reported that five militants were killed. Only one person was killed – a 67-year-old grandmother of nine.”
“My three children – 13-year-old Zubair, nine-year-old Nabila and five-year-old Asma – were playing nearby when their grandmother was killed. All of them were injured and rushed to hospitals. Were these children the “militants” the news reports spoke of? Or perhaps, it was my brother’s children? They, too, were there. They are aged three, seven, 12, 14, 15 and 17 years old. The eldest four had just returned from a day at school, not long before the missile struck.”
“But the United States and its citizens probably do not know this. No one ever asked us who was killed or injured that day. Not the United States or my own government. Nobody has come to investigate nor has anyone been held accountable. Quite simply, nobody seems to care.“
Well, Leon I care. A lot.
Leon Panetta (Remote Controlling a Drone?)
As do millions of other Americans who are deeply repulsed by the idea of assassinating innocent people. Drone murders are the act of War Criminals – not Americans.
Leon, you were in charge of all US military actions when this woman was murdered. You were directly advising the President; and he approved your far more experienced advice on using drones then, as he did when you headed up the CIA’s Drone Assassination program just prior to taking up that military post.
US Military Drone Firing a Missile
As head of the CIA you said civilian deaths from Drones are more likely the fault of military operations in the region. You have strongly “supported U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan” – even though we are not at war with Pakistan.
Leon, I used to like you. I cheered you on at the Colton Hall party when you went to help Bill Clinton’s White House. I’ve been to parties at your home in Carmel Valley when you were running for Congress.
But I can’t imagine any possible reasonable response to this woman’s murder-assassination. Which is probably why the Obama Administration refuses to respond to this outrage.
As Navy Postgraduate School Professor Zachary Shore points out in his book “Breeding Bin Ladens” reckless actions like these are increasing hatred and threats to Americans.
When Momina Bibi was killed – she was murdered on behalf of all Americans. That means you Leon, had a leading role in making me, against my will, and every other American – a War Criminal.
If you are the man I used to know, the man your mother was proud of – you will get Momina Bibi’s daughter an answer; a satisfactory answer. And an sincere apology.
Immediately.
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Further Reading:
Jon Stewart Teams Up With CODEPINK Against Drones!
Breeding Bin Ladens: America, Islam, and the Future of Europe
10 Ways You Can Join the Fight Against Drone Warfare
Petition by Amnesty International– President Obama & Congress: Why was grandmother Mamana Bibi killed with a drone?
