The Syrian Civil Defense Organization, also known as the White Helmets, has sounded the alarm over a dangerous escalation in tactics in northern Syria. According to their reports, regime forces, backed by Russia and Iranian militias, have been deploying suicide drones, posing a serious threat to civilians in the region.
The use of suicide drones, also referred to as kamikaze drones, marks a troubling development in the ongoing conflict in Syria. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are equipped with explosives and are launched to target specific locations or individuals. The deliberate targeting of civilians with these drones has raised concerns about the safety and security of residents in northern Syria.
On February 22nd, the Syrian Civil Defense teams documented 13 attacks by suicide drones launched from regime-controlled areas which killed at least two people and injured seven civilians, including two children. These attacks targeted the Al-Ghab Plain area in the northwestern Hama countryside, a region known for its fertile agricultural lands, and the Qarqour Dam, a popular spot for fishing among civilians.
The impact of these attacks extends beyond the immediate loss of life and property damage. By targeting civilian environments, villages, farms, and the Qarqour Dam area, these attacks threaten the livelihoods of the population and exacerbate food insecurity in the region. Furthermore, the fear and tension caused by these attacks have disrupted daily life for residents, compounding the challenges already faced by communities ravaged by 13 years of war.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) has documented numerous incidents of civilians being injured or killed in kamikaze drone attacks. In one such incident on March 1st, an unidentified farmer was injured when Syrian regime forces targeted his tractor in the Sahl al-Ghab area of western rural Hama governorate.
These attacks not only violate UN Security Council resolutions prohibiting indiscriminate attacks but also contravene international humanitarian law by failing to distinguish between civilians and combatants. The primary objective of these attacks appears to be to spread fear and panic among civilians, furthering the regime’s policy of the forced displacement of civilian populations.
