Trump gives CIA power to launch drone strikes

President Donald Trump has given the CIA new authority to conduct drone attacks against suspected militants, reversing Barack Obama’s policy of limiting the spy agency’s paramilitary role

FATALITIES: Drone strikes have killed between 6,197 and 8,897 people in Pakistan, Yemen, Afghanistan and Somalia since 2002*

Under drone policy of Obama administration, CIA could find suspect, but military would carry out actual strike

New authority is sparking fears about accountability as CIA does not need to disclose drone strikes, or any resulting civilian casualties

AFGHANISTAN 
Deaths 
2,529-3,261
Strikes (start date)
1,506 (2015)

PAKISTAN
Deaths
2,501-4,003
Strikes (start date)
425 (2004)

YEMEN
866-1,184
206 (2002)

SOMALIA
301-449
42 (2007)

MQ-9 Reaper drone

CIA first used new powers in February in strike on Abu al-Khayr al-Masri, senior al-Qaeda leader in Syria

Source: Wall Street Journal
*Figures from Bureau of Investigative Journalism