Home / War and Conflict / Sudan Drone Strike Kills 12 Civilians, Including 6 Children
Sudan Drone Strike Kills 12 Civilians, Including 6 Children
9 Apr
Summary
- Twelve civilians, six of them children, died in a drone strike in North Darfur.
- The attack occurred amid a surge of drone warfare by both the Sudanese army and RSF.
- MSF reports treating hundreds for horrific drone-related injuries in Darfur and Chad.
A drone strike in Kutum, North Darfur, has resulted in the deaths of 12 civilians, six of whom were children, according to a medical source and local activists. The attack occurred on Wednesday, amid a significant increase in drone strikes by both the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who have been engaged in conflict since April 2023.
Injuries to 16 others, including women and children, are being treated. The El-Fasher Resistance Committee, a pro-democracy group, attributed the strike to the army and stated it impacted the Al-Salama neighborhood. Drone attacks have become a frequent occurrence across Sudan, causing widespread disruption and civilian casualties.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has treated approximately 400 people for drone-related injuries since February. These incidents include strikes near the Sudanese border in eastern Chad and various parts of Darfur. The United Nations reported over 500 civilian deaths from drone attacks between January and mid-March, warning of the severe impact of these weapons in populated areas.
MSF describes "horrific injuries" such as transfixing wounds and amputated limbs, with many victims dying before reaching hospitals. Previous attacks include an RSF-blamed strike on a hospital in White Nile state and an army-attributed attack on El-Daein Teaching Hospital in East Darfur, which killed 70 people. The ongoing conflict, nearing its three-year mark, has led to tens of thousands of deaths and displaced over 11 million people.
