Published on: 2026-05-11
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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In the first four months of 2026, drones became the cause of more than 80 percent of civilian deaths in the Sudan war: at least 880 people were killed. Such data was presented on Monday by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Volker Türk warned that the escalating drone war could lead to an even more deadly phase of the conflict. He sharply condemned the growing use of these weapons in the war between the Armed Forces of Sudan and the Rapid Response Forces, which has been ongoing for the fourth year.
“The increasing dependence [of the conflict parties] on drones allows combat actions to continue uninterrupted during the approaching rainy season, which previously led to a lull in ground operations,” noted the military commissioner.
Volker Türk warned of the possibility of further spreading violence in the coming weeks, “as parties seek to gain or strengthen control over territories amid the changing dynamics of the conflict.” This, in turn, may cause new population displacements and disrupt the delivery of humanitarian aid.
“This must not be allowed,” he said. “The international community must understand: if measures are not taken without delay, the conflict will be on the threshold of a new, even more deadly phase.”
Kordofan Region – at the epicenter of the strikes
The highest number of civilian deaths from drone strikes from January to April was recorded in the Kordofan region. The latest such incident occurred on May 8, when, according to reports, 26 civilians were killed as a result of strikes on Al-Kuzu in South Kordofan and near El-Obeid in North Kordofan.
The warring parties repeatedly struck civilian objects and infrastructure, including markets: at least 28 such attacks resulted in casualties among the civilian population.
Medical institutions were hit at least 12 times over four months. Some clinics were forced to close, which caused people to overcome long distances in search of help or to do without it altogether.
Fuel depots and supply routes have also been repeatedly subjected to attacks in recent weeks.
The geography of drone use is expanding
The use of drones by both sides is increasingly spreading beyond the borders of Kordofan and Darfur. The strike on Khartoum International Airport on May 4 led to the suspension of flights. Several targeted drone attacks hit other areas of the Sudanese capital.
“The intensity of these attacks destroyed the relative calm of recent months, when more and more civilians were returning to the capital,” Tyurk said. “This caused concerns about the resumption of hostilities in Khartoum.”
The military commissioner added that a probable escalation in Kordofan would expose the civilian population to an increased risk of retaliatory attacks and a new large-scale displacement of the population.
Impact on humanitarian access
The UN High Commissioner warned that the escalation of violence will also disrupt the work of humanitarian organizations.
“A large part of the country, including Kordofan, is currently facing an increased risk of hunger and an acute food shortage – the situation is exacerbated by expected delays in deliveries and a shortage of fertilizers due to the crisis in the Persian Gulf,” he said.
The UN chief human rights defender has called for decisive measures to prevent any weapons deliveries to the parties in the Sudan conflict, including increasingly advanced strike drones.
“Drone attacks on civilians and civilian objects will only intensify if they remain unpunished,” he emphasized.
Turkey once again called on all parties to ensure the protection of civilians, including safe passage out of active combat zones. It also noted that civilians must be protected from repression, including extrajudicial executions, sexual violence, arbitrary detentions, and searches.
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