Sudan Sees Surge in Drone Attacks Resulting in Over 160 Fatalities

A surge in drone attacks across Sudan has resulted in over 160 fatalities in recent days, according to reports from medics and human rights groups.

The violence has affected various regions of the country, including Khartoum, where three children were killed on Monday, as per Emergency Lawyers, an organization that tracks civilian casualties during Sudan's ongoing civil war.

In western parts of Sudan, more than 160 people have been reported dead since Friday, with both government forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) blamed for the attacks.

The RSF controls the southwestern state of West Kordofan, where one of the deadliest incidents took place on Sunday evening in Al-Dibab town.

The conflict in Sudan has seen a surge in drone attacks across the country, resulting in significant loss of life and injury. In eastern Sudan, air defences intercepted several drones targeting the Atbara and Setit dams in Gadaref state, with no immediate comment from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF's own stronghold, Nyala, was hit by another drone attack on Monday morning.

Medical sources report that 17 people, including seven RSF officers, were killed and 23 wounded in the attack. Emergency Lawyers also confirmed the incident, highlighting the devastating impact of the escalating violence. The RSF has been accused of carrying out similar attacks in other parts of the country.

In a separate incident on Friday, an RSF drone attacked a gathering of displaced people in Blue Nile province, killing 41 individuals. This attack was condemned by Emergency Lawyers as a humanitarian tragedy, emphasizing the need for an end to such violence. The United Nations has also expressed concern over the deadly attacks.

The UN's spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that they are "alarmed" by the continued drone strikes across Sudan, which have resulted in civilian casualties and disruptions to essential services.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has resulted in significant human suffering, with at least 59,000 people killed since fighting began four years ago, according to conflict monitor ACLED. Aid groups warn that this number is likely an underestimate of the actual toll.

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan continues to worsen, with about 13 million people displaced from their homes. This has created a massive need for food support, with 33.7 million people, including 17.3 million children, requiring urgent assistance this year.

In response to the escalating situation, the United States called on the UN Security Council to impose a humanitarian truce and expand an arms embargo on Sudan. However, China and Russia opposed widening the embargo, highlighting the complex challenges in finding a solution to the crisis.