By Gill Bikram Singh 
Rising Civilian Deaths Amid Drone Strikes
A new report has revealed that nearly 1,000 civilians have lost their lives, with hundreds more injured, due to military drone attacks across Africa. The widespread use of unmanned aerial vehicles in the region has led to severe humanitarian consequences, with little accountability.
Patterns of Civilian Harm Identified
Over the past three years, at least 50 confirmed drone strikes by military forces have resulted in significant civilian casualties. Analysts warn of a disturbing trend where these lethal attacks occur with minimal oversight or consequences.
While the use of drones by Ukraine and Russia receives global attention, experts say there is insufficient focus on the increasing deployment of cost-effective, imported drones—such as Turkey’s Bayraktar TB2—across Africa. Cora Morris of Drone Wars UK, which published the report Death on Delivery, called for urgent international intervention to regulate armed drone usage.
“If action is not taken soon to impose strict controls, civilian casualties will continue to rise,” Morris warned.
Conflicts Affected by Drone Warfare
The report highlights six African nations where drones have been used in active conflicts:
- Ethiopia – The highest civilian toll, with more than 490 people killed in 26 attacks.
- Mali – At least 64 civilians killed in nine drone strikes.
- Burkina Faso – More than 100 civilian deaths recorded in military drone operations.
- Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria – Ongoing drone use in conflicts, with increasing reports of civilian casualties.
In Ethiopia, government forces have used drones against groups like the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, leading to heavy civilian losses. Similarly, Malian and Burkinabè armed forces have conducted drone strikes that have resulted in mass civilian deaths, often contradicting state media claims of “precise” terrorist neutralizations.
Uncontrolled Drone Proliferation Raises Concerns
Most of the drones used in African conflicts are imported from Turkey, China, and Iran. Researchers highlight the growing presence of “medium altitude, long endurance” (MALE) drones, which can conduct both surveillance and lethal airstrikes over extended periods.
In Sudan’s civil war, Iranian, Chinese, and Turkish drones have been deployed by the military, while opposition forces such as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have reportedly used drones supplied by the UAE. The use of these weapons in densely populated areas—such as markets in Khartoum—has had catastrophic consequences for civilians.
Burkina Faso’s Deadly Drone Strikes
In Burkina Faso, state-backed media frequently celebrates drone strikes against jihadist insurgents. However, reports from affected communities paint a different picture. One of the most devastating incidents occurred in August 2023, when a drone attack hit a market in Bouro, killing at least 28 civilians.
The report criticizes the Burkinabè government’s portrayal of drone warfare as an advanced military strategy, exposing the reality of indiscriminate bombings that fuel insecurity and destruction.
Call for International Oversight
With over 940 civilian deaths recorded since late 2021, experts urge the global community to establish strict regulations to curb the uncontrolled use of armed drones in Africa. Without intervention, analysts warn that civilian casualties will continue to mount as drone warfare expands across the continent.