A new report from Drone Wars UK reveals a disturbing surge in military drone strikes across Africa, resulting in nearly 1,000 civilian deaths over the past three years. The report, titled “Death on Delivery,” highlights the growing humanitarian crisis caused by the unchecked spread of armed drones in conflict zones.
The report outlines that drones, primarily imported from countries like Turkey, China, and Iran, have become a major weapon in at least six African conflicts: Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Ethiopia. The majority of drone strikes have been recorded in Ethiopia, where over 490 civilians were killed in 26 drone strikes targeting the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. Meanwhile, in Mali and Burkina Faso, government-led drone strikes have claimed at least 64 and 100 civilian lives, respectively. One of the most tragic attacks occurred in Bouro’s market in August 2023, where at least 28 civilians were killed in a drone strike on a densely populated area.
Despite claims of precision, the reality is that many drone strikes have failed to hit their intended military targets, instead claiming the lives of innocent civilians. The report highlights the increasing use of medium altitude, long endurance (MALE) drones, such as Turkey’s Bayraktar TB2, which can fly for extended hours over long distances, conducting both surveillance and airstrikes. The report stresses the urgent need for international oversight to regulate drone proliferation and prevent further civilian casualties.
Drone Wars UK is calling for immediate global action to curb the spread of these weapons, warning that without stricter controls, more lives will be lost, and the human rights crisis will deepen. The uncontrolled use of drones in conflict zones continues to escalate, posing a grave threat to civilian populations across the continent.
Source: https://northafricapost.com/85140-surge-in-drone-strikes-across-africa-leads-to-nearly-1000-civilian-deaths-report.html