Trump gives CIA new authority on US drone strikes
US President Donald Trump has given the CIA new authority to launch drone strikes in Washington’s so-called war on terror, US officials say.
The announcement was made in a Monday report by the Wall Street Journal, citing US officials.
The move would mark a departure from drone policies pursued in the administration of former President Barrack Obama and focused on “limiting the spy agency’s paramilitary role,” according to the daily.
The measure could also lead to a “turf war” between the Central Intelligence Agency and the Defense Department, it added.
The decision, never disclosed before, could also harm the “cooperative approach,” previously common.
The US has been conducting drone strikes in several countries, including Yemen and Pakistan.
The aerial attacks, initiated by former US President George W. Bush in 2004, were escalated under Obama.
The US claims the airstrikes target members of terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda and other militants, but according to local officials and witnesses, civilians have also been the victims of the attacks in many cases.
Russia: New US aid for Ukraine will fail to change military situation
US House under pressure to urgently act on ‘war-time’ aid for Israel
US House passes controversial surveillance bill to renew spy program
US will pull out military personnel from Niger: Report
US sanctions on Venezuelan oil ‘violation of human rights’: Iran
VIDEO | Hundreds of students take to streets in Milan in support of Palestine
UN warns hundreds of thousands of Sudanese under ‘immediate danger’
Iraqi resistance strikes ‘vital’ target in Eilat after Israel attacks PMU base
North Korea conducts cruise missile warhead test: State media
Israeli airstrike kills at least 7 people in Rafah
VIDEO | Iranians hold nationwide demos in support of IRGC
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
