Haiti: Human Rights Watch sounds alarm on drone strikes
The Haitian government has engaged security forces and contractors to conduct drone strikes on armed gangs, raising concerns over civilian safety. Human Rights Watch reports that these operations have resulted in the deaths of at least 1,243 individuals…
The Haitian government has engaged security forces and contractors to conduct drone strikes on armed gangs, raising concerns over civilian safety. Human Rights Watch reports that these operations have resulted in the deaths of at least 1,243 individuals between March of the previous year and January 2026, including 17 children. Numerous civilians have also sustained injuries.
Juanita Goebertus, Americas Director at Human Rights Watch, has called on the Haitian government to regulate these operations. She emphasized the urgency of controlling security forces and private contractors to prevent further civilian casualties, particularly among children.
The strikes are linked to a task force established by the Haitian prime minister, with support from the private military company, Vectus Global. Currently, approximately 90% of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, is under gang control, as stated by the United Nations.
The Haitian government has engaged security forces and contractors to conduct drone strikes on armed gangs, raising concerns over civilian safety.
The ongoing violence has displaced around 1.4 million individuals, while nearly half of the population is experiencing severe food insecurity. Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, Haiti has been without a democratically elected government, leading to institutional collapse and a fragmented authority.
Based on reporting by Africanews.