Drone Strikes in Sudan's Kordofan Region Cause Civilian Casualties and Disrupt Aid Operations

Drone strikes in Sudan's Kordofan region have led to significant civilian casualties and hindered humanitarian efforts, as the conflict escalates. Analysts report at least 77 deaths and widespread disruption to aid operations.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan, nearing its third year, has intensified with a surge in drone strikes in Kordofan, significantly impacting civilians and hindering humanitarian efforts. According to the Sudan Doctors Network, at least 77 people have died and many more have been injured due to attacks primarily by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in densely populated areas.

Since April 2023, the conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese military has escalated into a full-scale war. The World Health Organisation reports that at least 40,000 people have died and 12 million have been displaced. Aid organisations warn that the actual toll could be much higher due to restricted access in remote areas.

Drone Strikes Impact Civilians and Aid

Walid Mohamed, a Kadugli resident, mentioned that breaking the siege allowed essential goods and medicines to enter the city, reducing food prices. However, RSF drone strikes have become frequent, targeting hospitals, markets, and homes. Omran Ahmed from Dilling echoed these concerns, noting increased fear among residents as civilian casualties rise.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk condemned recent drone strikes that killed over 50 civilians in two days. "These latest killings are yet another reminder of the devastating consequences on civilians of the escalating use of drone warfare in Sudan," Turk stated. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric indicated evidence of both sides using drones against civilians.

Kordofan Battlefront Shifts

The military's use of drones and airstrikes in Kordofan has increased over the past year as the conflict moved westward. Jalale Getachew Birru from ACLED noted that Kordofan has become a primary theatre of operations. Two weeks ago, the military claimed to have broken the RSF siege of Kadugli and Dilling after more than two years.

However, Birru clarified that these sieges are not entirely lifted, with ongoing battles for control over these cities and the broader region. The army aims to establish a route into Darfur from Kordofan, while the RSF seeks a path back to Khartoum.

Increased Drone Usage by Both Sides

Federico Donelli from the University of Trieste highlighted an increase in drone usage by both sides recently. Factors include new weapons acquisitions by the army and foreign-supplied drones. This shift allows reliance on precision strikes instead of deploying ground troops in contested areas like Kordofan.

Last year saw 163 air and drone strikes targeting civilians across Sudan, resulting in 1,032 deaths according to ACLED data. The army was responsible for 83 strikes causing 568 deaths, while RSF conducted 66 strikes killing 288 people.

A UN convoy recently delivered aid to Dilling and Kadugli for over 130,000 people—the first major delivery in three months. Despite this relief effort, aid workers express concern about escalating violence potentially worsening famine conditions.

Mathilde Vu from the Norwegian Refugee Council expressed alarm over increasing violence in Kordofan. "It's very indiscriminate," Vu said. "Between Kordofan, Darfur and east Sennar, it's now every other day we receive messages like drone attack here, hit a civilian infrastructure, killed people."

Kholood Khair from Confluence Advisory anticipates continued bombing campaigns as fighting may shift towards Darfur's el-Fasher city. The army's recapture of this area could restore vital supply lines between Kordofan and Darfur.

With inputs from PTI