Nearly 60 percent of Americans approve of drone strikes in Pakistan

A new poll has revealed that nearly 60 percent of Americans approve of the drone strikes being carried out by their government to eradicate extremism in Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen, despite collateral damage resulting in the deaths of two hostages recently.

The Pew Research Center survey shows that 58 percent of Americans approve of these drone strikes, while only 35 percent disapprove of the same.

In the United States, 74 percent of Republicans favour the use of drones, while 52 percent Democrats also endorse it.

The survey, which has appeared in the Express Tribune, was based on telephonic interviews and was carried out between May 12 and 18. Around 2,000 adults living in all 50 American states and in Washington participated in it.

Citing estimates that hundreds of civilians may have been killed by the strikes, human rights groups and some lawmakers have questioned the morality of the drone war.