Hundreds Killed in Haiti Drone Strikes, Including 60 Civilians, Human Rights Watch Says
Drone Strikes and Civilian Casualties
Explosive drone strikes conducted by Haitian security forces targeting gangs have resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people, including 43 adult civilians and 17 children, according to a report by Human Rights Watch.
As of mid-September 2025, drone strikes have killed at least 559 people, including 11 children, with the UN human rights office stating that most of these strikes are likely unlawful under international human rights law.
Reports indicate that over a third of the deaths resulted from explosive drone strikes, and at least 15 percent of the victims were civilians unaffiliated with gangs.
Government and Human Rights Response
The government’s Task Force, reportedly led by the prime minister, began conducting drone operations with explosives in areas controlled by criminal groups in early 2025.
The National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH) in Haiti stated that drones killed “more than 300 gang members” between March and mid-June 2025.
Human Rights Watch has raised concerns about the disproportionate impact of these operations on civilians, particularly in densely populated slums.
International Concerns
The United Nations has expressed alarm over the civilian casualties, with the High Commissioner for Human Rights stating that the use of drones in Haiti is likely unlawful under international law.
Additional reports indicate that armed groups and government forces have unlawfully killed civilians, driven many from their homes, and blocked access to humanitarian aid.
As of January 2025, over 16,000 people have been killed and some 7,000 injured in armed violence since January 1, 2022.