Following pressure from human rights groups to release data related to drone-related casualties, US President Barack Obama issued a report yesterday which says only 116 civilians have been mistakenly killed by since he took office.
The figures are markedly lower than those presented by human rights groups. The report claims that since 2009, there have been between 64 and 116 civilians killed in Pakistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, and North Africa.
The report comes as part of an executive order that urges the US to act to reduce the likelihood of civilian casualties” and also directs that the US acknowledge its responsibility for civilian deaths and offer condolences and compensation.
Critics have pointed out that any figures released are likely to be lower than have been reported by investigators on the ground.
Research conducted by the Bureau of
Investigative Journalism found that over 3,000 people, including nearly 500 civilians, have been killed by drones under the Obama administration.