Sudan: Over 100 Killed in Drone Attacks Across Three States
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More than 100 people were killed in drone attacks across Sudan's West Kordofan, South Darfur, and Khartoum over the weekend, according to reports from multiple sources. The attacks occurred on Sunday and Monday, marking a significant escalation in violence in the region, which has been plagued by conflict for over three years.
The deadliest strike occurred in West Kordofan, where 80 people were killed. The attack targeted a gathering of civilians. In South Darfur, 17 people lost their lives in the city of Nyala. Additionally, four people, including three children, were killed in the capital, Khartoum.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) accused the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) of being behind the attacks in the western part of the country. Meanwhile, a military source attributed the drone strikes on the capital to the RSF. The conflict between the two forces has been ongoing since April 2023, with both sides accusing each other of war crimes and human rights abuses.
The Emergency Lawyers Group, which documents human rights violations during the war, blamed the SAF for the attacks in West Kordofan. The group criticized the targeting of populated areas, which put civilians at risk. The group's statement highlighted the urgent need for international intervention to protect civilians and hold those responsible for the attacks accountable.
The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the escalating violence and the targeting of civilians. The UN Special Representative for Sudan, Volker Perthes, called for an immediate end to hostilities and urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law. The UN has also called for unrestricted humanitarian access to affected areas to provide much-needed aid to civilians.
The conflict in Sudan has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced and in need of assistance. The ongoing violence has also hindered humanitarian efforts, making it difficult for aid organizations to reach those in need. The international community has been urged to increase its support for humanitarian efforts in Sudan and to pressure the warring parties to engage in meaningful dialogue to end the conflict.
As the conflict in Sudan continues to escalate, the international community is under increasing pressure to take action to protect civilians and bring an end to the violence. The latest drone attacks serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for a political solution to the conflict and the importance of holding those responsible for war crimes and human rights abuses accountable.
CONTEXT: The conflict in Sudan began in April 2023 when fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. The conflict has since escalated, with both sides accused of war crimes and human rights abuses. The conflict has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced and in need of assistance. The international community has been urged to increase its support for humanitarian efforts in Sudan and to pressure the warring parties to engage in meaningful dialogue to end the conflict.
