Drone Attacks Inflict Both 'Physical and Psychological Harm' On Victims: UK-Based Medical Charity

A UK-based medical charity has argued that on top of physical damage, drones inflict psychological harm as well, by causing innocent people to live in fear.

A report by Medact, an organisation of British health professionals, said that there are many reasons to be concerned about the increasing use of unmanned, armed drones.

"In addition to the number of deaths and injuries of innocent civilians, we also have concerns about the psychological damage to people living under the constant threat of drone attack and to service personnel who carry out the assassinations," the organization said.
"There is also some evidence that medical personnel and others who arrive at the scene to assist the injured have been targeted in drone attacks. This is a war crime," it added.

According to the Guardian, the organization's report pointed out that the most accurate figures on the numbers of civilians killed by drones are from Pakistan, and they range from light casualties to the large estimates of deaths.

The report also cited data obtained by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, showing between 2,985 and 4,533 civilians have died since 2001 in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia.