At least 60 civilians were killed in Burkina Faso last year in military drone strikes, watchdog says
ABC News
Human Rights Watch says Burkina Faso’s security forces killed at least 60 civilians in three different drone strikes last year, attacks that may amount to war crimes
ABUJA, Nigeria -- Human Rights Watch said Thursday that Burkina Faso’s security forces last year killed at least 60 civilians in three different drone strikes, which the group says may have constituted war crimes.
The West African nation’s government claimed the strikes targeted extremists, including jihadi fighters and rebel groups that have been operating in many remote communities.
The accusation by the New York-based watchdog were the latest in a string of similar charges raised by various rights groups.
“The government should urgently and impartially investigate these apparent war crimes, hold those responsible to account, and provide adequate support for the victims and their families,” HRW said in a new report.
The report also said the strikes were “in violation of the laws of war” and showed “little or no concern” for civilians. HRW had said last year that it found Burkina Faso's forces were carrying out extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, and torture in conflict-hit communities.
