US drone strikes unpopular across globe: Survey

Islamabad, July 19: The Obama administration's use of drone strikes targeting extremists in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia faces broad opposition around the world, says a report by an American think tank.

The Pew Research Center in Washington conducted a survey on the issue in 39 countries, the Dawn reported Friday.

The report said that half or more in 31 of these countries disapprove of US drone attacks against extremist groups.

"In most of the nations polled, there continues to be extensive opposition to the American drone campaign against extremist leaders and organisations," the report said.

In 31 nations, at least half disapprove of the US conducting drone missile strikes targeting extremists in places such as Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia.

At least three-in-four people hold this view in 15 countries, including from the Middle East, Europe, Latin America and Asia.

The only three countries where the majority supported the drone campaign are Israel (64 percent), Kenya (56 percent) and the US itself (61 percent).

In the US, Republicans (69 percent) were especially likely to endorse this policy, although most independents (60 percent) and Democrats (59 percent) also approve.

Opinions on the drone issue are divided in Australia, Canada and Germany.

IANS