Pakistan's Islamist opposition has vowed more protests against a US air strike that killed at least 18 civilians while commentators said the raid would boost support for fighters. The air strike which took place on Friday was apparently aimed at aimed at Osama bin Ladin's deputy and al-Qaida's second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahiri. Intelligence officials said US counterparts had told them the order for the strike was based on information that al-Zawahiri, had been invited to a dinner at a village in the Bajaur tribal region near the Afghan border. Two Muslim clerics known for harbouring al Qaida fighters attended but left hours before the raid and al-Zawahiri did not show up, they said. Although the US government has not publicly acknowledged any responsibility, intelligence officials in Washington with knowledge of the operation said it was aimed at al-Zawahiri and said they believed drone aircraft armed with missiles were used.
| So the information was correct, Ayman didn't show up, but the other two clerics were there and left early. So what's the beef? Sounds like it would have been a well justified strike without Ayman being the target. |