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div aria-live=”polite” aria-atomic=”true”>The deployment of drones by various African nations in their efforts to combat armed factions is leading to severe harm to non-combatants, as indicated by a recent report.

Over 943 civilians have lost their lives in at least 50 incidents across six African countries from November 2021 to November 2024, according to the Drone Wars UK report.

The report, titled Death on Delivery, reveals that strikes frequently fail to differentiate between civilians and combatants. Expert analysis suggests the reported death toll is likely underreported, as many countries conduct covert drone operations.

As drones become the weapon of preference for many African governments, the consequences for civilians in conflict zones remain a pressing issue. Is it time for international regulation of drone sales?

Explaining the surge in African nations acquiring drones

The report highlights the steep increase in the number of African countries acquiring armed drones, particularly Medium Altitude, Long Endurance (MALE) drones, in recent years.

Since 2022, at least 10 African countries have obtained these weapons. Governments justify their acquisition as a measure to combat rebellions and security threats.

However, the reality has often been different, with many strikes leading to significant civilian casualties, raising concerns about human rights abuses.

Cora Morris, author of the report, stated that drones have been marketed as an efficient and modern method of warfare with minimal risk to military personnel.

But the reality is different, as civilian deaths continue to mount.

Morris stated that drones significantly lower the threshold for the use of force, making it easier for armies to deploy munitions with reduced risk to their own forces.

The outcome has been a severe toll on civilians, she told Al Jazeera.

The proliferation of drones has also been fueled by geopolitical shifts, as African governments seek greater military independence and turn to suppliers with fewer restrictions.

Michael Spagat, head of the department of economics at Royal Holloway University of London, sees the trend primarily driven by economics.

“Drones have become an affordable means for states to acquire significant military capability. They have the additional advantage that attackers do not have to worry about pilot fatalities. States do not have to invest in training people they might lose,” Spagat told Al Jazeera.

He also warned that this trend is just beginning.

“Some countries are still learning how to use drones effectively, and eventually, we may start hearing about non-state groups using advanced drones,” he said.

While the report primarily examines the consequences of drone use in Africa, it also discusses the key suppliers driving this surge.

Turkiye, China, and Iran have emerged as the leading exporters, the report found, and provide a variety of drone systems to African nations.

Morris said the role of actors like Turkiye and China, which have supplied drones relatively cheaply with little concern for their use, has led to a rapid proliferation of these weapons in recent years, particularly to states fighting armed groups.

Which countries were studied?

The report identifies six key nations where the use of drones has had a particularly lethal impact:

Sudan

Drones have been widely used in Sudan’s ongoing civil war, with reports of strikes hitting civilian infrastructure, including markets and residential areas. Both warring sides – Sudan’s military and its Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group – have used drones.

Somalia

The country has been a battleground for drone warfare, primarily driven by operations targeting al-Qaeda affiliate al-Shabab. However, civilian deaths have been alarmingly frequent, raising concerns over the precision and intelligence behind these strikes.

Nigeria

The Nigerian government has employed drones in its fight against Boko Haram and other armed groups. However, there have been multiple instances of strikes on civilians.

Burkina Faso

Conflict in Burkina Faso began to intensify around 2015 as armed group activity spilled over from neighboring Mali. It is part of a wider regional crisis in the Sahel.

Mali

Both Mali and Burkina Faso have increased their use of drones against armed groups. But these strikes have repeatedly resulted in civilian casualties.

Ethiopia

The Ethiopian government has increasingly relied on drones in its fight against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Multiple strikes on refugee camps and marketplaces have led to widespread condemnation.

Some of the deadliest strikes

The impact has been devastating, with several strikes leading to significant civilian losses. Among the most tragic incidents are:

• Nigeria, December 2023: A drone strike in Tudun Biri village meant to target fighters from an armed group instead struck a crowd of Muslims observing the holiday celebrating the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, killing 85 people. The government blamed an incorrect analysis for the civilian toll.
• Ethiopia, 2022-2023: An attack in October 2022 on residents in Oromia’s Ofu Bekke village killed at least 86 people. Government forces had intensified drone attacks following reports of Oromo Liberation Army fighters in the area. In the weeks that followed, at least a dozen further strikes were carried out in Oromia, with casualties in at least 10 incidents.
• Somalia, March 2024: Two drone strikes in southern Somalia’s Jaffey Farm and nearby Bagdad village killed 23 people, drawing widespread condemnation. Families described the incident as a massacre, while the government claimed all victims were terrorists.
• Burkina Faso, August 2023: A drone strike by the Burkinabe military hit a market in Bouro village, killing 28 people, highlighting the destructive and insecure effects of such bombings.
• Sudan, September 2023: A drone attack on Khartoum’s Goro market killed at least 46 people. Reports suggested the attack was carried out by drones or military aircraft affiliated with Sudan’s military.

Morris stated there is a clear reluctance to properly investigate claims of civilian casualties. She added that the scale of civilian damage worldwide, particularly with drones, points to a failure to take the loss of civilian life seriously.

“This is especially concerning with drones, where there is a troubling normalization of civilian death accompanying their spread,” she said.

Should there be better oversight and regulation of drone sales?

The report stresses the urgent need for stricter oversight and regulation of drone use as drone warfare expands globally.

In the past decade, the number of countries using drones has increased from four to 48, according to the report.

Despite this, only three main international arms control agreements currently apply to exporting armed drones, and they all have significant weaknesses.

The report’s author urges the international community to rapidly establish a new international control regime focused on preventing harm from the proliferation of armed uncrewed systems.

Morris and Spagat both agree that drone warfare will continue to grow.

Spagat said, “I believe drone use will significantly increase and may also spread to non-state groups.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/11/how-drones-killed-nearly-1000-civilians-in-africa-in-three-years?traffic_source=rss