Drone Attack in Sudan’s Kordofan Leaves Many Dead

At least 28 people were killed and numerous others injured in a drone strike that hit the Sudri market in Sudan’s Kordofan region on Sunday, 16 February. Human rights organisation Emergency Lawyers, which monitors civilian casualties, reported the incident and warned that the death toll could rise further.

According to the organisation, the market was extremely busy at the time of the attack, spreading panic among local residents and worsening the already dire humanitarian situation. In a statement, they said: “The use of drones in densely populated areas represents a grave disregard for civilian life and safety. Such actions pose a significant threat to the normal functioning of the province. We urge all parties to immediately cease any drone operations.”

Emergency Lawyers alleged that the attack was carried out by a military-operated drone. However, two unnamed military officials told the Associated Press that “the army never targets civilian sites and has no involvement in this incident.”

This strike follows a similar attack just a week earlier near the town of Rahad, where a vehicle carrying displaced families was hit, killing at least 24 people, including eight children. The day before that attack, a United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) convoy delivering aid also came under drone fire.

The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began in April 2023, has escalated into a full-scale nationwide war. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 40,000 people have been killed and 12 million displaced. Humanitarian agencies suggest that actual numbers may be higher due to the challenges of accessing conflict zones.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has described Kordofan as “unstable and a focal point of ongoing conflict.” A recent report highlighted that during an RSF operation in Darfur at the end of October, over 6,000 people were killed within three days, raising concerns of potential war crimes or crimes against humanity.

Recent Conflict and Humanitarian Impact in Kordofan

The protracted conflict and frequent drone strikes have severely disrupted daily life in Sudan, leaving civilians isolated and exposed to escalating violence. International human rights organisations continue to express deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the potential for further civilian casualties.