KHARTOUM — More than 160 people have reportedly been killed in a series of drone attacks across Sudan in recent days, according to medical workers and human rights groups, raising fresh concerns about the growing impact of aerial warfare on civilians caught in the country’s ongoing civil war.
According to Emergency Lawyers, a Sudanese legal group monitoring violence against civilians, a drone attack in the capital, Khartoum, killed three children on Monday.
Meanwhile, more than 160 people were reported killed in attacks across western Sudan since Friday, highlighting the devastating consequences of the escalating conflict.
The attacks have been blamed on the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), which have been fighting for control of the country since April 2023.
The precise circumstances of the attacks, responsibility for individual strikes, and the reported casualty figures have not been independently verified.
Growing Use of Drones Raises Civilian Casualties
The increasing deployment of armed drones by Sudan’s warring parties has become a major concern for humanitarian organizations and civilian protection advocates.
Drone strikes can affect populated neighborhoods, markets, residential areas, and other civilian locations, particularly when military operations take place near communities.
The reported deaths of three children in Khartoum have renewed concerns about the protection of civilians as aerial attacks continue.
International humanitarian law requires all parties to armed conflicts to distinguish between civilians and combatants and to take precautions to minimize civilian harm.
Western Sudan Faces Continued Violence
The reported deaths of more than 160 people in western Sudan underscore the severe security challenges facing communities in regions affected by the conflict.
Years of fighting have disrupted healthcare services, forced families from their homes, and restricted access to food, clean water, and essential humanitarian assistance.
Continued drone attacks could further complicate relief operations and expose vulnerable communities to additional displacement and insecurity.
Sudan’s Civil War Continues to Devastate the Country
Sudan’s conflict erupted in April 2023 following a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti.
The fighting has caused widespread destruction, mass displacement, and a humanitarian emergency affecting millions of people.
Despite international diplomatic efforts, the conflict has continued, with civilians bearing much of the human cost.
Calls for Civilian Protection and Accountability
The latest reported attacks highlight the urgent need for independent investigations into incidents involving civilian casualties.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly emphasized the importance of protecting civilians, ensuring humanitarian access, and holding those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law accountable.
As Sudan’s conflict continues, the growing use of drone warfare threatens to deepen the country’s humanitarian crisis and further undermine prospects for lasting peace.
