Airstrikes and drone attacks in Sudan’s Kordofan and Darfur states have resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians, including women and children, according to UN humanitarians. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revealed that strikes in South Kordofan and North Kordofan states claimed the lives of at least 26 civilians. Additionally, armed clashes and more airstrikes were reported in El Obeid and Bara in North Kordofan.
On Saturday, local sources reported that over 17 individuals were killed in an airstrike on a civilian truck traveling from Khumi village towards the Abu Zabad area in West Kordofan state. The UN Human Rights Office highlighted that deadly drone strikes have also been documented in North Darfur and South Darfur states recently. The office expressed concern that drone attacks have led to over 880 deaths, constituting more than 80% of all conflict-related civilian fatalities recorded in Sudan between January and April this year.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk cautioned that the escalating use of drones allows hostilities to persist as the rainy season approaches, potentially leading to an increase in conflict activities. The UN emphasized the urgent need for parties involved to adhere to international humanitarian law, safeguard civilians and civilian structures, and ensure prompt, secure, and unimpeded delivery of aid to those in need. The escalating insecurity has forced more individuals to flee their residences, with over 4,600 people displaced from villages in Al Kurmuk locality in Blue Nile state due to heightened insecurity.
