Drone strikes killed at least 306 civilians and injured hundreds across Sudan during the first three weeks of October, the United Nations said, warnin...
Drone strikes killed at least 306 civilians and injured hundreds across Sudan during the first three weeks of October, the United Nations said, warning that the increasing use of drones by the warring parties is worsening the toll on civilians.The U.N. Human Rights Office said attacks struck residential areas, markets, hospitals, displacement sites and other civilian infrastructure as fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces intensified.U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk condemned the escalation and urged both sides to stop attacks that put civilians at risk and comply with international humanitarian law.The reported deaths highlight the growing role of armed drones in Sudan's conflict, which erupted in April 2023 and has displaced millions of people while severely disrupting health care, food supplies and other essential services.Among the deadliest incidents, strikes attributed to the Sudanese army killed at least 25 civilians and injured 31 others at shelters for displaced people in Ghubeish and El Nahud in West Kordofan between Oct. 6 and Oct. 10, according to the U.N.In Blue Nile state, a strike attributed to the RSF killed at least 31 people on Oct. 9 near Abu Shendi, where displaced people had gathered to work in artisanal gold mining. Women and children were among those killed.Additional attacks on gold-mining areas in South Kordofan killed 42 civilians and injured 25 others on Oct. 9 and Oct. 16, the U.N. said.On Oct. 18, at least 139 people were killed and dozens injured when a transport truck was struck in the Dibab area of West Kordofan, according to the U.N. Human Rights Office.Drone attacks also hit markets in Al Dabba, Nyala and El Odaya, killing a reported 23 civilians. In another incident, an attack attributed to the RSF struck Um Darfa Hospital in Blue Nile state on Oct. 11, seriously injuring two health workers and forcing the facility to suspend operations.The U.N. also reported attacks around Khartoum, including the airport area, amid allegations of retaliatory strikes between the opposing forces.International humanitarian law requires parties to a conflict to distinguish between civilians and combatants and prohibits deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian objects. Medical facilities are also entitled to protection unless specific conditions under international law apply.Türk called for an end to attacks on civilians and urged countries with influence over the warring parties to help halt the flow of weapons fuelling the conflict. He also called for a ceasefire and a negotiated settlement that would address human rights violations and ensure accountability.The conflict has devastated large parts of Sudan, forcing millions from their homes and leaving many communities struggling to obtain food, clean water and medical care. Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that insecurity and damage to infrastructure are obstructing assistance to people in need.Separately, a drone attack on Amiet Market and the nearby Todach area in Abyei, a disputed territory between Sudan and South Sudan, was reported on Oct. 19. The Associated Press later reported that at least 153 people were killed, citing an Abyei official. The incident was separate from the U.N. figure of 306 civilian deaths recorded across Sudan during the first three weeks of October.The U.N. has urged all parties to protect civilians and essential infrastructure and to pursue a political solution to end the war.
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