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Transcript/ScriptAFRICA TERROR GROUP DRONES
HEADLINE: Terror groups' use of drones ‘levels playing field’ in Africa
TEASER: UN experts say terror groups now have capabilities previously only available to nation states
PUBLISHED: 8/28/2024 at 6:51p
BYLINE: Henry Wilkins
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE:
VIDEOGRAPHER: Henry Wilkins
VIDEO EDITOR: Henry Wilkins
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Sonya Laurence Green
SCRIPT EDITORS: DLJ, Sharon Shahid,
VIDEO SOURCE (S): File footage, Zoom, X (Twitter)
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 2:32
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE: TVR
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO)) In an interview with VOA, United Nations experts say terror groups in Africa are increasing their use of drones to carry out operations previously only possible to nation-states. From Somalia to the Sahel, reporter Henry Wilkins looks at how this makes the work of African states fighting insurgencies even more difficult.
((NARRATOR))
(Courtesy: Al-Qaida African regional media affiliate Al-Kata’ib))
These drone images, which VOA has been unable to independently verify, purport to show al-Shabab's attack on an airport in Kenya in 2021, as well as the use of drones by the armed groups JNIM and ISWAP ((Courtesy: Al-Qaida African regional media affiliate Az-Zallaqa)) to coordinate attacks in Mali and Nigeria.
((Courtesy: ISIS West Africa)) According to U.N. experts, terror groups in Africa linked to al-Qaida and ((end courtesy)) Islamic State are making increasing use of consumer drones to carry out operations.
((Radio: In an interview with VOA, Barbara Morais Figueiredo, who authored a recent report on the trend for the U.N.’s Institute for Disarmament Research, says this gives the terrorist groups improved surveillance and greater power.))
((Barbara Morais Figueiredo, UN Institute for Disarmament Research (female, English)) ((Zoom))
“Airborne capability allows them to have a better view of the battle space and their operating environments. [It] also provides them with a new way of being able to gather intelligence, and in their way, also to plan and to coordinate attacks, sometimes with a higher degree of mortality and precision.”
((NARRATOR))
Experts point out that militaries fighting insurgencies and facing terrorist threats from the air for the first time are at a disadvantage.
Karen Allen, a senior research advisor at the Institute for Security Studies, has written extensively on the subject of drone use by terror groups.
((Karen Allen, Institute for Security Studies )) (in English, 19 secs))) ((Zoom))
“It conveys a significant psychological advantage to armed groups who in the past may have been at a disadvantage compared to regular armies. So, it’s leveled the playing field, if you like, between regular forces and irregular forces.”
((NARRATOR))
While it is unclear exactly how many incidences of drone use by terror groups there have been in Africa, instances have been recorded in Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Mozambique.
Figueiredo says the Central Sahel has borne the brunt of the new trend, however, which has spread from IS and al-Qaida in Iraq and Syria to their affiliates in Africa.
Allen adds that the use of drones by terror groups is difficult to stop because drones are easy to buy for civilian use on the internet.
((Karen Allen, Institute for Security Studies)) ((Zoom)) (in English, 19 secs)))
“I think there is a real difficulty in being able to stop the use of a technology which is a dual-use technology. Think of a mobile phone. A mobile phone can be used most of the time to be able to communicate and have a completely benign purpose, but it can also be used to trigger a tripwire and to cause an IED to explode.”
((NARRATOR))
She adds that African nations need to invest in anti-drone systems. This may include tech that jams radio signals, disabling drones and even anti-drone lasers.
((Henry Wilkins, VOA News))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateAugust 29, 2024 14:59 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
