Afghan Girls' Dreams Derailed as Schools Remain Closed

A report by Drone Wars UK reveals that nearly 1,000 civilians have been killed and hundreds injured due to military drone strikes across Africa from November 2021 to November 2024. The study highlights at least 50 confirmed incidents of drone attacks in six African conflicts, including Sudan, Somalia, and Mali, where armed forces utilized imported drones like Turkey's Bayraktar TB2. Cora Morris, a representative of Drone Wars UK, emphasized the need for the international community to implement a control regime to mitigate civilian casualties, stating, “We are highly likely to see more examples of the killing of civilians from the use of armed drones.” The report claims that drone strikes in Ethiopia alone accounted for over 490 civilian deaths, primarily targeting the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. Additionally, drone strikes in Burkina Faso and Mali have also led to significant civilian fatalities, with researchers asserting that the proliferation of drones is causing grave harm to civilians in densely populated areas. The report categorizes the civilian death toll as a conservative estimate of more than 940 victims, calling for urgent global actions to address this growing crisis.

A recent report by Drone Wars UK highlights the alarming rise of military drone strikes across Africa, resulting in the deaths of nearly 1,000 civilians and hundreds more injured in the last three years. The report, titled "Death on Delivery," reveals at least 50 confirmed lethal attacks by armed forces across six African conflicts, including Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Ethiopia. Cora Morris from Drone Wars UK emphasized the urgent need for international regulation to prevent further civilian casualties, stating, "Unless the international community moves rapidly towards developing and implementing a new control regime...we are highly likely to see more examples of the killing of civilians from the use of armed drones." Notably, Ethiopian drone strikes against the Tigray People's Liberation Front accounted for over 490 civilian deaths. In Burkina Faso, military drone strikes have also resulted in the deaths of over 100 civilians. The report underscores that most armed drones are imported from Turkey, China, and Iran, which further fuels the humanitarian crisis in the region, particularly during conflicts conducted in densely populated areas.

Afghan authorities announced the arrest of Mohammad Sharifullah, a key figure in the 2021 Kabul airport bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members. The joint operation between Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the CIA took place near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in late February 2025, according to multiple sources. Sharifullah, also known as "Jafar," is believed to be a senior commander of ISIS-K and played a significant role in the bombing, which occurred on August 26, 2021, at the Abbey Gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport. The attack was claimed by ISIS-K and is among the deadliest incidents involving coalition forces in Afghanistan. Court documents reveal that Sharifullah joined ISIS-K in 2016, providing logistics support for the attack and connecting with other operatives. A 2024 Pentagon review identified another operative, Abdul Rahman al-Logari, as the bomber, while Sharifullah's involvement included scouting the area. Intelligence officials indicate that the joint operation reflects Pakistan's strategic balancing efforts amid relations with China and the U.S. The Taliban's previous release of numerous Taliban and ISIS-K prisoners is seen as a contributing factor to the group's resurgence.