Sudan Market Drone Attack Kills 11 Amid Rising Civilian Toll in Air War

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Drone Strikes Claim Over 200 Civilian Lives in Sudan

At least 11 people have been killed and dozens wounded in a drone attack on a market in western Sudan. The incident occurred near the border with Chad, where fuel reserves were ignited and flames spread through the area.

The United Nations has confirmed that more than 200 civilians have been killed by drone strikes in the Kordofan region and White Nile state since March 4. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk expressed concern over the use of drones in populated areas, stating that parties to the conflict continue to deploy explosive weapons using increasingly powerful drones.

According to reports, at least 152 civilians were killed in strikes attributed to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in West Kordofan. The SAF has received Iranian-made drones, with recent deliveries documented as recently as 2024. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has no air force of its own, has been equipped through a network of supply routes reportedly running through Chad and other transit states.

The war between the SAF and RSF began in April 2023, resulting in over 1,000 documented drone attacks. In the first two months of 2026, at least 52 strikes caused civilian casualties, killing 478 people. Sudan accounted for more than half of all drone attacks recorded across the African continent in 2024.

Recent incidents include a truck carrying civilians being hit in al-Sunut, killing at least 50 people, and drones used by the RSF hitting a secondary school and health centre in Shukeiri, killing at least 17 people. Experts have noted that the use of drones is becoming increasingly common in the conflict, with many citing their low cost and ease of deployment as factors contributing to their widespread adoption.

The Africa Center for Strategic Studies reported that Sudan accounted for more than half of all drone attacks recorded across the African continent in 2024. The SAF has claimed to have shot down over 100 drones in just 10 days.

Source: Al Jazeera