October 20, 2012

WASHINGTON - The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has sought to expand its potent anti-terror weapon, the unmanned armed spy aircraft to transform itself into a potent paramilitary force.

According to a Washington Post report, a request has been sent to the White House by CIA Director David H. Petraeus.

CIA wants to bolster its anti-terror campaign in Pakistan and Yemen. The move for the significant expansion of the lethal weapon will also enable the CIA, "if directed", to shift its campaign against emerging Al Qaeda threats in North Africa or other trouble spots, officials told the Post.

According to the newspaper, the CIA has sought to an extra fleet of as many as 10 drones.

This will add to an inventory that has ranged between 30 and 35 over the past few years, according to the Post.

Officials from the White House, the CIA and the Pentagon have declined to comment on record on the issue.

However, one US official spoke on condition of anonymity and said the request reflects a concern that political turmoil across the Middle East and North Africa has created new openings for Al Qaeda and its affiliates.

"With what happened in Libya, we're realizing that these places are going to heat up," the official said, referring to the September 11 attack on a US diplomatic outpost in Benghazi.

No decisions have been made about moving armed CIA drones into these regions, but officials have begun to map out contingencies. "I think we're actually looking forward a little bit," the official said.

Previously, Pentagon and officials in other departments have raised concerns about the CIA's expanding its drone fleet and operations

But the news paper quoting a senior defense official said that the Pentagon had not opposed the agency's latest plan.

No decision has been taken over the CIA proposal which would have to be evaluated by a group led by President Barack Obama's counter-terrorism adviser, John O. Brennan, officials said.

The group, which includes senior officials from the CIA, the Pentagon, the State Department and other agencies, is directly involved in deciding which alleged Al Qaeda operatives are added to "kill" lists.

But current and former officials said the group also plays a lesser-known role as referee in deciding the allocation of assets, including whether the CIA or the Defense Department takes possession of newly delivered drones.

Meanwhile, the Obama administration has promoted tie-ups between the CIA and the military for more potent "counter terrorism operation".

In Yemen, the CIA routinely borrows the aircraft of the military's Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) to carry out strikes. The joint command is increasingly engaged in operations that resemble espionage.


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