Dozens of civilians killed in attacks in Burkina Faso Dozens of civilians killed in attacks in Burkina Faso

According to research by the human rights organization Human Rights Watch, numerous civilians have been killed in drone attacks on Islamist terrorists in Burkina Faso.

At least 60 civilians were killed and injured between August and November last year when drones attacked two markets and a funeral took place. the organization announced on Thursday. She bases her statements on telephone and personal interviews with thirty people, including 23 witnesses to the attacks and seven members of national and international non-governmental organizations. The victims are said to be people from Burkina Faso and neighboring country Mali.

To investigate the incidents, HRW officials also analyzed photos and videos taken by witnesses, as well as videos and satellite images published on the Internet, Human Rights Watch said.

Human rights activists believe the military carried out the attacks using Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones, each capable of delivering up to four precisely targeted, laser-guided bombs. After the drone strikes, the government announced through state-controlled media that numerous Islamist fighters had been killed. The government did not provide any information about civilian casualties at the time. HRW accused the army of attacking large groups of people and thus violating the laws of war.

West African Burkina Faso is located in the Sahel region next to Mali and Niger and is being terrorized by armed groups linked to, among others, the terrorist militias Al Qaeda and Islamic State. The border area between the three states is one of the most dangerous regions in the world. After a coup in 2022, Burkina Faso will be ruled by a transitional military government. (saw/sda/dpa)