Drone strikes in Sudan have killed at least 306 people over a three-week period, according to the UN human rights office (OHCHR). The strikes were attributed to both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The attacks hit civilian homes, markets, hospitals, displacement sites, power stations, and water sources across Kordofan, Darfur, Blue Nile, Khartoum, and other states.
UN human rights official Mr. Türk stated that the increasing use of drones now accounts for the majority of conflict-related civilian deaths in Sudan this year. Expressing deep concern over the toll, Mr. Türk called on all parties to adhere to their legal obligations under international humanitarian law, particularly by refraining from directing attacks against civilians and essential civilian objects.
Specific documented incidents demonstrate the spread of attacks on vulnerable communities. Between 6 and 10 October, alleged drone strikes attributed to military government forces hit shelters for displaced people in Ghubeish and El Nuhud in West Kordofan, killing at least 25 civilians, including women and children. On 9 October, an alleged RSF drone struck displaced people engaged in artisanal gold mining near a displacement site in Abu Shendi, Blue Nile, killing at least 31 people, mostly women and children.
The deadliest single attack reported during this timeframe occurred on 18 October in Dibab, an area in West Kordofan controlled by the RSF militia. At least 139 people were killed when a transportation truck was struck in a repeat double-tap strike.
In a separate attack in Abyei, more than 80 people were killed. Responding peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) arrived to find every shop burning. The UN Security Council condemned the Abyei attack in the strongest terms, noting that the casualty count is expected to rise as UNISFA continues verification. What international mechanisms can effectively hold armed factions accountable for the rising use of drones in populated areas?
