Pakistan: US Drones Killed at Least 400 Civilians

Hundreds of Other Victims 'Probable Non-Combatants'

The Pakistani government’s testimony to the UN human rights rapporteur has revealed that their own estimates on the US drone strikes against their tribal areas shows a major civilian toll, with at least 400 of the slain confirmed as civilians.

That’s a low-ball estimate, and Pakistan admitted as much, saying that over 200 other victims are officially classified as “probable non-combatants,” and a large number of others are simply totally anonymous.

It’s difficult to accurately figure these tolls, of course, since Pakistan’s government rarely officially comments beyond terming anyone slain as a “suspect,” and the only time civilian deaths come out is when there’s a surviving relative who is willing to push the issue, something that’s not easy to do in the lawless region.

The Obama Administration has occasionally disputed claims of civilian deaths in general, insisting they are super-careful about their killings, but also refusing to provide any real details on the matter, claiming they are classified.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.