Displaying items by tag: drone strikes

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has intensified, with the United Nations reporting nearly 700 civilian deaths from drone strikes since January, many occurring in regions such as Darfur and Kordofan. The ongoing conflict between the army and the RSF has devastated communities, with attacks hitting homes, schools, and markets; children have been among the most affected. The war, now in its fourth year, has displaced over 11 million people and left around 19 million facing acute hunger. The Red Cross says over 11,000 have been reported missing since the conflict began, a figure which has risen sharply in the past year. Also, destroyed communication networks have left families without news of loved ones, adding to their psychological toll. Aid agencies describe Sudan as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with most of the population in urgent need of assistance, and relief efforts remain severely underfunded.

Haiti continues to face severe insecurity as armed gangs control large areas of the capital, Port-au-Prince. In efforts to confront the violence, Haitian security forces, supported by private contractors, have used quadcopter drones carrying explosives in anti-gang operations since March last year. According to a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW), these strikes have killed at least 1,243 people (including sixty civilians) and injured 738. Many of the attacks have occurred in densely populated neighbourhoods, raising serious concerns about civilian casualties. One strike reportedly killed nine people, including three children, and injured several others. Residents describe the devastating impact on families living in gang-controlled areas. HRW and UN officials have warned that some strikes appear disproportionate and may violate international law. The UN has also indicated that there are currently no clear signs that these incidents are being formally investigated.