Four children tragically lost their lives in southern Djibouti following an explosion in the Dhikil area, authorities confirmed late Tuesday.

Public prosecutor Hassan Mohamed Hassan described the incident as “tragic,” while the Djiboutian League for Human Rights (LDDH) reported it may have been a drone strike targeting nomadic populations.

According to the LDDH, two children aged six and seven—a girl and a boy—died instantly at the scene, while two others succumbed to injuries later due to delayed medical care and evacuation.

Six additional children sustained injuries, with at least one critically wounded. The victims were reportedly tending livestock when the explosion occurred.

“This marks the sixth drone attack in the region within six months, affecting nomadic communities,” the LDDH stated in a press release.

Authorities have deployed a team to investigate the cause of the explosion, prosecutor Hassan added.

The Afar community, a minority group in Djibouti, has historically felt marginalized by President Ismail Omar Guelleh, an Issa community member who has led the country since 1999.

The incident evokes memories of a February 2025 drone attack near the Ethiopia border that killed eight members of a rebel group and an unknown number of civilians.

President Guelleh is currently seeking a sixth term in the upcoming April 10 elections, making the situation highly sensitive politically.

Human rights organizations continue to call for accountability and protection for vulnerable populations in the region.

This latest tragedy highlights ongoing concerns over drone strikes in the Horn of Africa, particularly their impact on civilians and nomadic communities.

Investigations are ongoing, and international human rights groups are monitoring developments closely.