What's happened
Drones have killed dozens at cattle markets in Darfur, with conflicting claims about the perpetrators as fighting in Sudan intensifies. Civilians have been killed and wounded; aid agencies warn of a worsening humanitarian crisis.
What's behind the headline?
Insightful take
- The latest strikes hit busy markets, underscoring civilians’ vulnerability in Darfur’s urban hubs.
- Both sides accuse each other, signaling an information war that complicates accountability.
- Drones enable rapid, high-loss attacks on civilian targets, expanding the reach of the conflict.
Forecast
- Without a credible ceasefire or international pressure, civilian harm will rise and aid delivery will become harder.
How we got here
Sudan’s conflict, active since 2023, has displaced millions and killed tens of thousands. Drones have become a key tactic in the fighting between the army and the RSF, with Darfur and Kordofan seeing repeated strikes. International bodies warn of a worsening humanitarian emergency.
Our analysis
The Guardian, France 24, Al Jazeera, The New Arab provide consistent casualty tallies and location details, with some variation in attribution. The Guardian and France 24 cite witness testimonies and medical sources; Al Jazeera emphasizes army claims and RSF responses, reflecting the ongoing dispute over responsibility.
Go deeper
- What is the current status of negotiations or ceasefire efforts?
- How are aid agencies adjusting operations in Darfur amid these drone attacks?
- Which parties are most exposed to international scrutiny right now?
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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United Nations - Intergovernmental organization
The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
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nyala - Animal
The lowland nyala or simply nyala, is a spiral-horned antelope native to southern Africa. It is a species of the family Bovidae and genus Nyala, also considered to be in the genus Tragelaphus. It was first described in 1849 by George French Angas. The bod
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Darfur
Darfur is a region of western Sudan. Dār is an Arabic word meaning "home [of]" – the region was named Dardaju while ruled by the Daju, who migrated from Meroë c. 350 AD, and it was renamed Dartunjur when the Tunjur ruled the area.
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West Kordofan - State of Sudan
West Kordofan (Arabic: غرب كردفان; Ġarb Kurdufān) is one of the 18 wilayat or provinces of Sudan. In 2006 it had an area of 111,373 km2 and an estimated population of approximately 1,320,405. Al-Fulah is the capital of the state. West Kordofan borders North Kordofan to the north, South Kordofan to the east, South Sudan to the south, East Darfur and North Darfur to the west. In August 2005, West Kordofan State was abolished and its territory divided between North and South Kordofan States, in implementation of the Protocol between the Government of Sudan (GOS) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) on the resolution of conflict in Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile States signed at Naivasha, Kenya, 26 May 2004. Section 2.1 of the protocol states that "The boundaries of Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains State shall be the same boundaries of former Southern Kordofan Province when Greater Kordofan was sub-divided into two provinces." The protocol forms part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement. Al Fulah presently has the status of second capital of South Kordofan State, and sessions of the state...
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Abdel Fattah al-Burhan - Chairman of the Transitional Military Council
Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burhan is a Sudanese politician and Sudanese Army general who is currently serving as Chairman of the Sovereignty Council of Sudan, the country's collective transitional head of state.