Sudan: Drone Strikes Killed At Least 306 People in Three Weeks

306 People

In a grim three-week period in October, Sudan witnessed a horrifying surge in drone strikes, resulting in the deaths of at least 306 civilians and injuring hundreds more. These attacks, attributed to both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have indiscriminately targeted vital civilian infrastructure. Homes, bustling markets, essential hospitals, displacement sites where vulnerable populations sought refuge, power stations, and critical water sources have all been hit, spreading terror and destruction across Kordofan, Darfur, Blue Nile, Khartoum, and other states.

The human toll is underscored by specific incidents documented by the UN human rights office. Between October 6 and 10, alleged SAF drone strikes on shelters for displaced people in Ghubeish and El Nuhud in West Kordofan claimed the lives of at least 25 civilians, including women and children. A particularly egregious event occurred on October 9, when an alleged RSF drone struck a crowd of displaced people engaged in artisanal gold mining near Abu Shendi, Blue Nile, killing at least 31 individuals, predominantly women and children. Furthermore, on October 18, a transportation truck in Dibab, West Kordofan, an RSF-controlled area, was hit in a "double tap" repeat strike, resulting in 139 fatalities, illustrating the brutal nature of these attacks.

Amiet Market

The conflict's reach extended to the disputed oil-rich Abyei region, situated between Sudan and South Sudan, where a drone attack on October 19 devastated Amiet Market and the Todach area. This single incident alone killed over 80 people, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. Peacekeepers from the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) were among the first responders, describing a scene where "every shop was burning."

UNISFA troops rapidly deployed quick reaction and firefighting teams to contain the blaze and provided critical medical assistance, transporting more than 27 injured individuals to their hospital in Todach. The attack on Amiet Market not only resulted in significant loss of life but also destroyed livelihoods, as exemplified by Angelina Musa Diaw, a trader and mother of three, who reported losing everything. This incident highlights the severe impact of the conflict on economic activity and the daily lives of ordinary citizens, pushing them further into destitution and displacement.

Volker Türk

UN human rights chief Volker Türk has vehemently condemned the escalating drone strikes, emphasizing that the increasing use of drones now accounts for the majority of conflict-related civilian deaths in Sudan this year. He stressed that these actions are deeply disturbing and are exacting a horrifying toll on the civilian population. Türk called upon both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law (IHL), which explicitly prohibits directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects.

Beyond the immediate cessation of hostilities, Türk urged broader peace efforts to address the continuous influx of arms fueling the conflict. He specifically pressed for an end to the transfer of weapons that are being used in manifest disregard of IHL obligations designed to protect civilians. The High Commissioner reiterated his plea for both parties and their affiliates to commit to an immediate ceasefire, asserting that a negotiated settlement, firmly rooted in human rights and underpinned by accountability, represents the only viable path towards achieving sustainable peace in Sudan.