New York watchdog accuses Burkina Faso of war crimes through drone strikes, citing civilian casualties

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. A mural is seen in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on March 1, 2023.