Drone Strikes Kill at Least 306 in Sudan in Three Weeks, UN Reports
Reporting based primarily on allafrica.com.
UN Condemnation of Escalating Drone Strikes
UN human rights chief Volker Türk condemned an escalation in drone strikes across Sudan in the first three weeks of October that killed at least 306 civilians and injured hundreds more, with both the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces responsible for attacks on homes, markets, hospitals, displacement sites and infrastructure. [1] The strikes hit locations in Kordofan, Darfur, Blue Nile, Khartoum and other states. [1] Türk described the increasing use of drones as deeply disturbing because they already account for the majority of conflict-related civilian deaths in Sudan this year. [1] The UN human rights office documented the civilian toll from these attacks attributed to both sides. [4] Türk stated that the strikes are exacting a horrifying toll on the population. [1]
Attacks on Displacement Sites
Drone strikes attributed to SAF on displacement shelters in Ghubeish and El Nuhud, West Kordofan, between 6 and 10 October killed at least 25 civilians including women and children. [1] An RSF drone strike on displaced people engaged in artisanal gold mining near Abu Shendi, Blue Nile, on 9 October killed at least 31 people, most of them women and children. [1] A double-tap drone strike on a transportation truck in Dibab, West Kordofan, on 18 October killed at least 139 people. [1] The office noted a particularly disturbing trend of strikes on displacement sites where people who had already fled the fighting had sought shelter. [1] Scores of civilians have been killed, including internally displaced persons, and vital infrastructure and services have been eviscerated, driving further displacement and deepening the already severe humanitarian crisis, according to OHCHR Spokesperson Seif Magango. [1]
UN human rights chief Volker Türk condemns surge in deadly drone strikes across Sudan. — Source: anadolu
Strikes on Markets, Hospitals and Infrastructure
An RSF-attributed strike on Um Darfa hospital in Blue Nile on 11 October seriously injured two health workers and rendered the facility non-operational. [1] Markets and hospitals have also been hit in addition to displacement sites, homes, power stations and water sources. [1] The attacks attributed to both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces struck civilian objects across multiple states. [1] These incidents left facilities non-operational and contributed to the evisceration of vital services. [1] The documented strikes occurred in the first three weeks of October alone. [4]
Deadly Attack in Abyei and UNISFA Response
A drone attack on Amiet Market and the Todach area in Abyei on 19 October killed more than 80 people. [1] UNISFA peacekeepers were first to respond, extinguishing fires and evacuating 27 injured. [1] Peacekeepers with the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei visited communities affected by the attack. [1] UNISFA troops reached the scene where every shop was burning, said Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Farooq, commander of the Mission's Pakistani battalion. [1] The Mission deployed quick reaction and firefighting teams to stop the fire spreading and took more than 27 injured people to its hospital in Todach, according to Acting Force Commander Brigadier General Adebowale Ajabge. [1] Trader Angelina Musa Diaw said she had lost everything, adding that she had no work, everything was gone, and she was there with her children but needed help. [1]
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Calls for Ceasefire and IHL Compliance
Türk called on both parties to respect international humanitarian law, halt attacks on civilians, end the influx of arms, commit to a ceasefire and pursue a negotiated settlement with accountability at its core. [1] He urged the parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by not directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects. [1] 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, Türk said. [1] He urged both parties to the conflict, and their affiliates, to commit to a ceasefire. [1] A negotiated settlement with human rights at its core, underpinned by accountability, is the only feasible pathway to sustainable peace in Sudan, the High Commissioner added. [1]
Recent RSF-attributed Attacks in North Kordofan
Sudanese government accusations of RSF drone strikes on service facilities and fuel stations in Al-Rahad and Umm Rawaba on 24-25 October were reported by state authorities. [2] The attacks targeted those locations on Thursday and Friday according to the state government. [2] These incidents occurred after the period covered in the initial UN documentation of 306 deaths. [1]
What to watch next: Türk called on the parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and commit to a ceasefire while addressing the influx of arms.
