What's happened
Recent drone strikes by Sudanese forces and RSF have increased, causing civilian casualties and disrupting humanitarian aid. Attacks have targeted El Obeid and Darfur, with UNHCR warning that displaced populations face worsening conditions amid ongoing conflict.
What's behind the headline?
The escalation of drone attacks in Sudan reflects a shift towards more targeted and destructive tactics by both sides. The use of drones has resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths and injuries, intensifying the humanitarian crisis. The attacks on aid convoys, such as the UNHCR vehicle in Tawila, will likely worsen displacement and food insecurity, pushing millions further into crisis. The repeated targeting of civilian areas and aid infrastructure indicates a deliberate strategy to weaken opposition and control territory, but it also risks prolonging the conflict and increasing international condemnation. The current escalation suggests that the conflict will continue to destabilize the region, with humanitarian access remaining severely limited. The international community will face mounting pressure to intervene or broker peace, but the ongoing violence will likely deepen the suffering of civilians and hinder recovery efforts.
How we got here
Since April 2023, Sudan has experienced intense conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The fighting has led to widespread displacement, food insecurity, and a surge in drone strikes targeting both military and civilian sites. Humanitarian efforts are increasingly hampered as attacks on aid convoys and facilities have become more frequent, especially since the start of 2026.
Our analysis
All Africa reports that drone attacks have resumed in El Obeid, killing at least seven and injuring 22, with targets including residential neighborhoods and industrial sites. The New Arab highlights that drone strikes by both the Sudanese army and RSF have escalated, killing nearly 700 civilians since January and destroying aid supplies, including a UNHCR vehicle transporting shelter kits. Both sources emphasize that the use of drones has increased sharply in 2026, worsening the humanitarian crisis. While All Africa details specific incidents and casualties, The New Arab provides broader context on the escalation and its impact on displaced populations and food security. The articles collectively underscore the dangerous shift in tactics and the urgent need for international action to prevent further civilian harm.
More on these topics
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Sudan - Country in North Africa
Sudan, officially the Republic of the Sudan, is a country in North-East Africa. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, Libya to the northwest, Chad to the west, the Central African Republic to the southwest, South Sudan to the south, Ethiopia to the southe
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North Darfur - State of Sudan
North Darfur State (Arabic: ولاية شمال دارفور Wilāyat Šamāl Dārfūr; Shamal Darfor) is one of the wilayat or states of Sudan. It is one of the five states composing the Darfur region. It has an area of 296,420 km2 and an estimated popu
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Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - United Nations agency mandated to protect and support refugees
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a United Nations agency mandated to aid and protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people, and to assist in their voluntary repatriation, local integration