Health officials reported Thursday that overnight drone attacks by paramilitary forces in central Sudan resulted in at least 15 deaths and dozens of injuries, highlighting the growing use of unmanned aircraft in the nation’s ongoing conflict that has stretched beyond three years.
The strikes began late Wednesday and hit multiple locations throughout el-Obeid, including areas close to military installations, according to two health officials from el-Obed Hospital who treated the casualties. The officials, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak publicly, confirmed that more than 10 individuals sustained injuries, with several in critical condition.
Sudan’s conflict began in April 2023 following escalating tensions between government military forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, known as RSF. The ongoing violence has resulted in no fewer than 59,000 deaths, forced approximately 13 million people from their homes, and created famine conditions across large areas of the nation. Humanitarian aid is desperately needed by over 30 million residents.
Dr. Mohamed Elsheikh, representing Sudan Doctors Network which monitors casualty figures, informed The Associated Press that RSF drones struck a cemetery during a funeral service in el-Obeid, killing four attendees, and also hit a fuel station. He was unable to immediately verify whether those killed and injured were civilians or military personnel.
A Mercy Corps aid worker speaking anonymously due to safety concerns told the AP that drone bombardments have escalated throughout el-Obeid recently, with attacks focusing on areas where people gather. The worker reported that educational institutions have halted operations and commercial markets are operating with limited capacity due to the ongoing strikes.
Emergency Lawyers, a local organization monitoring aid efforts, stated Thursday that casualty numbers will likely rise as unmanned aircraft continued flying above the city.
The organization reported that residential areas near the 5th Infantry Division’s military headquarters in el-Obeid were struck, along with a supply truck bringing food into the city, killing the driver.
“This series of attacks indicates a widespread pattern of targeting civilian gatherings, neighborhoods and infrastructure, including during rescue operations and funerals,” the group stated, raising alarm about the indiscriminate nature of the bombardments.
The conflict, now entering its fourth year, has resulted in Sudan’s military maintaining control over northern, eastern and central territories, including the nation’s Red Sea shipping facilities and petroleum infrastructure. The RSF and allied forces hold Darfur and portions of Kordofan near the South Sudan border, both areas containing valuable oil reserves and gold mining operations.
According to experts, unmanned aircraft warfare has emerged as the most lethal danger facing civilians in Sudan’s war, with both military factions receiving drone supplies from various Middle Eastern and international sources. Humanitarian organizations report that increased drone activity in Kordofan has severely disrupted relief efforts in the region.
