Sudan drone strikes have killed at least 306 people and left hundreds injured during the first three weeks of October, according to UN human rights chief Volker Türk. The attacks, linked to both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, targeted homes, markets, hospitals, displacement sites, power stations, and water sources across regions including Kordofan, Darfur, Blue Nile, and Khartoum. Mr. Türk highlighted that the rising frequency of drone attacks now constitutes the primary source of conflict-related civilian fatalities in the country this year, causing a severe humanitarian toll.

Impact on Displacement Sites and Infrastructure

Vulnerable populations residing in displacement camps faced targeted violence during the escalation. Between October 6 and 10, military government forces allegedly executed strikes on shelters in Ghubeish and El Nuhud within West Kordofan, resulting in the deaths of 25 civilians, among them women and children. On October 9, a suspected Rapid Support Forces drone hit a group of displaced persons involved in artisanal gold mining close to a displacement site at Abu Shendi in Blue Nile, causing at least 31 deaths, predominantly women and children. Furthermore, a double-tap strike on a transport truck in Dibab, West Kordofan, on October 18 claimed 139 lives. Medical facilities also suffered damage, notably the Um Darfa hospital in Blue Nile, which was struck on October 11, severely injuring two health workers and rendering the facility non-operational.

Attacks in Abyei and International Response

An October 19 drone assault on Amiet Market and the Todach area in the contested Abyei region claimed over 80 lives. Troops from the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei responded rapidly, deploying firefighting units to control widespread blazes and evacuating more than 27 wounded individuals to their hospital in Todach. The UN Security Council condemned the Abyei incident in the strongest possible terms, noting that casualties may increase as verification continues and stating that assaults on non-combatants may constitute war crimes. Meanwhile, international representatives gathered in Geneva on Wednesday to negotiate a pathway toward a ceasefire, an end to arms transfers, and a transition to peaceful governance.

Source: Cosmo News Desk