GENEVA, Switzerland, Oct 23, 2026 (Net) – The United Nations said Friday
it had documented more than 300 deaths from drone attacks in Sudan this month
as it condemned the deadly escalation.
It called for the international community to bear down on the influx of
drones into Sudan’s civil war, particularly those causing civilian harm.
“The increasing use of drones, already accounting for the majority of
conflict-related civilian deaths in Sudan this year, is deeply disturbing and
is exacting a horrifying toll,” UN rights chief Volker Turk said in a
statement.
“Scores of civilians have been killed and vital infrastructure and services
on which they depend eviscerated, driving further displacement and deepening
the already severe humanitarian crisis.”
The war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support
Forces, which erupted in April 2023, has killed more than 200,000 people, aid
workers estimate, displaced more than 13 million and created the world’s
largest hunger and displacement crises.
In the first three weeks of October, the UN Human Rights Office said it had
documented at least 306 deaths and hundreds of injuries resulting from
strikes by drones.
The strikes, attributed to both the SAF and the RSF, hit civilian objects and
infrastructure, including homes, markets, hospitals, displacement sites, as
well as power stations and water sources, it said.
Turk urged the warring parties to respect their obligations under
international humanitarian law, including by not targeting civilians.
“Broader peace efforts must squarely address the continued influx of arms
that is fuelling the conflict and press for an end to the transfer of arms
that are used in manifest disregard of the IHL obligations protecting
civilians,” he said.
