Sudan’s Civilians Endure Growing Drone Attacks Amid Widespread Hunger

On Monday, armed drones struck a busy market in Abyei, injuring at least 19 people, and hit several sites in Khartoum, where one civilian was killed and some flights were suspended. The weekend preceding the attacks saw at least 19 deaths, including 10 children, across West Darfur, South Darfur and North Kordofan. The United Nations said the strikes are killing civilians and disrupting essential services such as health facilities. Since the conflict began, 25 Sudanese Red Crescent volunteers have been killed while carrying out humanitarian duties.

The drone campaign occurs against a war that started in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. The fighting has left more than 20 million people facing acute hunger, and analysts warn that parts of Darfur and Greater Kordofan are moving toward famine. Large‑scale displacement continues as civilians move away from areas of active combat, adding pressure to already strained humanitarian resources. UN officials have called on external actors to stop supplying the means that enable the use of armed drones.

Despite insecurity, UN partners have restored some basic services. In Zalingei, Central Darfur, a rehabilitated water facility now provides safe water to roughly 2,500 people, and more than 2,000 families have received water, sanitation and hygiene assistance. The overall humanitarian response plan for Sudan is just over 43 percent funded, leaving a substantial financing shortfall. UN representatives stress that additional resources are required to keep lifesaving water and sanitation operations running as the conflict persists.