US drone operations that kill scores of civilians have been described by Donald Trump as a ‘win’. US officials claim that these strikes are targeted with precision. They claim that civilian casualties are almost zero. They claim to be keeping us safe from our enemies.
But our investigations reveal the opposite – here are 8 facts that expose the US Assassinations Programme for what it is:
1. 4,925 people have been killed by America’s Targeted Killing Programme in Pakistan and Yemen, including more than 250 children. Far from being targeted, more than 80% of those killed have never even been identified by name
2. Those targeted have included prominent politicians, peace activists and acclaimed journalists
3. Drone strikes and ground attacks that killed 23 civilians, including 10 children under the age of 12, instead of achieving any objective have been described by Donald Trump as a ‘win’
4. ‘Militant leaders’ account for just 2% of drone-related deaths and the CIA’s own leaked documents concede that the US often does not know who it is killing
5. The US counts all military-age males in a strike zone as targets unless evidence is produced after their death proving them innocent. This has allowed US officials to claim that civilian casualties are in the “single digits”
6. In failed attempts to kill just one named target, America killed 76 children and 29 adults
7. Cell phones are often targeted instead of named individuals, with the hope that the person using it is the right one
8. “Double Tap” strikes are a common practice – second strikes on a target after more people have rushed to the scene to assist the injured. Those killed are often first responders, family members or neighbours trying to help
