US dramatically steps up drone strikes on Yemen according to UK press

The US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman The US military in Yemen is revealed to have dramatically stepped up its drone strikes in the region, according to a report by the UK\'s Daily Telegraph newspaper. Often taking the shape of a silent war machine, the drones are specifically

programmed to hit specified targets from an often unseen vantage point high above Yemen’s airspace. The use of drones by the Americans and especially under President Obama’s watch puts Yemen nearly on par with Pakistan in American deployment of its drones to monitor and allocate threats at will.
Research by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism at London\'s City University found that up to 516 Yemenis have been killed in these attacks, mainly al-Qaeda personnel or sympathisers. However it should be noted that there have also been incidents involving citizens with no links to terrorism or other affiliates.
This shows considerable escalation of US involvement in the impoverished Gulf country\'s internal affairs and security, although there has not been any confirmation from the US as to whether drones have and are being used in Yemen.
The US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, on Wednesday had called for the restructuring of Yemen\'s military and security institutions in accordiance with the Gulf-brokered peace plan for the strife-torn country.
Feltman also urged all political parties to resume the national dialogue plan put in place by the Gulf Cooperation Council peace initiative which earlier implemented the transfer of power from long standing president Ali Abdullah Saleh to his deputy and how president Abrabuh Mansour Hadi. Feltman also stated that the ex-strongman of Yemen was still had an important part to play in the future of the country even though some Yemenis are urging his exclusion in Yemens future political life.
The extent and desire of the US to influence the political, economic and security affairs of post-Arab Spring Yemen, in line and often in tandem with its Gulf allies, especially Saudi Arabia, is seen to be laid bare through its military activities 
\"The details of the restructure and dialogue will be decided by the Yemeni people,\" Feltman had said, highlighting the importance of the restructure for achieving country\'s security and stability.
 He underlined that his country was now dealing with President Hadi and the national reconciliation government, saying over six million Yemenis voted on February 21 for Hadi to preside over the two-year transitional period. \"This is a strong message that must be respected,\" Feltman said.
\"We are committed to supporting Yemen economically\", he added, announcing an increase in US aid to humanitarian needs in Yemen to $36 million. US humanitarian aid to Yemen in 2012 was raised to $55 million.
The US official alsoe voiced his country\'s concern over the growing role of al-Qaeda and Iran in Yemen.
\"Yemen faces considerable challenges related to al-Qaeda that tries to take advantage of the political chaos,\" he said, stating that al-Qaeda did not enjoy any public support in Yemen.
Feltman also said the US was worried over Iranian meddling in some parts of Yemen, adding that Tehran was trying to make use of the unrest in some countries to increase its regional influence.