What's happened
Recent drone strikes by the Sudanese Armed Forces in Kordofan have killed at least 48 civilians, including children and students, in what appears to be deliberate targeting. The attacks occurred amid ongoing civil war and escalating violence between the army and SPLM-N, with reports of civilian casualties and destruction. The conflict has caused a humanitarian crisis with famine and displacement.
What's behind the headline?
The recent drone strikes highlight the increasing use of advanced aerial technology in Sudan’s conflict, making civilian areas more vulnerable. The deliberate targeting of civilians, including children and students, suggests a shift towards more indiscriminate violence by the Sudanese Armed Forces. This escalation risks deepening the humanitarian crisis, with potential for further displacement and famine. External support for different factions complicates peace efforts, making a resolution unlikely in the near term. The international community’s response remains limited, and the ongoing violence will likely worsen unless significant diplomatic intervention occurs. The use of drones as a near-invisible weapon underscores a new phase of asymmetric warfare that will challenge humanitarian efforts and civilian safety in Sudan.
What the papers say
All Africa reports the drone strike killed dozens, including children, with evidence of deliberate targeting by the Sudanese Armed Forces amid ongoing conflict. The Telegraph details the attack as a 'double-tap' strike, with independent sources confirming civilian casualties and destruction. The New Arab highlights the broader context of Sudan’s civil war, with external powers supporting different sides and accusations of war crimes by both the army and RSF. All sources emphasize the escalating violence, humanitarian crisis, and the role of advanced drone technology in recent attacks, illustrating a worsening situation with limited international intervention.
How we got here
Sudan has been embroiled in civil war since April 2023, involving the Sudanese army and paramilitary groups like the RSF. External powers such as the UAE and Egypt support different factions, turning the conflict into a proxy war. The fighting has led to widespread atrocities, famine, and epidemics, with limited media coverage and humanitarian aid. Multiple negotiations have failed to produce a ceasefire, prolonging the crisis.
Go deeper
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