Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused the Burkina Faso army of causing the deaths of at least 60 civilians in drone strikes that targeted armed groups, according to a report. The incidents occurred in three military drone strikes since August, two at crowded markets and one at a funeral. Captain Ibrahim Traore, who assumed leadership after a 2022 coup, has emphasized a robust security response to reclaim territory from armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS. HRW alleges that the drone strikes violated laws-of-war prohibitions and constituted apparent war crimes. The rights group calls for an urgent, impartial investigation, accountability for those responsible, and support for the victims and their families. Instances of government forces acting with impunity in counterinsurgency operations are also reported. In April 2023, security personnel reportedly killed 136 people, including women and infants, in the northern village of Karma.
