UN Rights Chief Alarmed by Deadly Sudan Drone Attacks

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Wednesday called on warring parties in Sudan to take urgent steps to protect civilians after at least 57 people were killed in separate drone strikes over two days this week.

Volker Türk said he was alarmed by the reports, which indicated that at least 15 children were among the victims.

“These latest killings are yet another reminder of the devastating consequences for civilians of the escalating use of drone warfare in Sudan,” he said.

The attacks occurred on 15 and 16 February across four states in Sudan, where the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been at war since April 2023.

Markets, Schools and IDP Shelter Hit

Mr Türk said an alleged Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) drone struck the Al Safiya market in Sudari locality, North Kordofan state, on 15 February, reportedly killing 28 civilians and injuring 13 others.

The following day in West Kordofan, an alleged SAF drone struck a shelter for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Al Sunut, killing 26 civilians, including 15 children. Fifteen others were injured.

On the same day, alleged RSF drones hit two primary schools in Dilling, South Kordofan, though casualties have not yet been determined.

Elsewhere, an alleged RSF drone struck Al-Mazmoun Hospital in Sennar state on 15 February, reportedly killing at least three civilians and injuring at least seven others.

Also that day, an alleged SAF drone struck a fuel store inside a local market in Adikong, West Darfur. Casualties were reported but remain unconfirmed.

“The continued attacks by all parties on civilian objects must stop,” the rights chief said. “The parties must take urgent measures to protect civilians, including by refraining from the military use of civilian objects.”

UN Convoy Reaches South Kordofan

Meanwhile, a multi-agency UN convoy has delivered vital humanitarian supplies to two cities in South Kordofan — Dilling and nearby Kadugli — which have been largely cut off from aid for more than two years.

The 26 trucks transported essential medical, food, nutrition, health, water and sanitation (WASH), and education supplies for more than 130,000 people.

The shipment included food commodities for nearly 70,000 people, among them 21,000 mothers and children, along with specialised nutritious food to prevent malnutrition. Five months’ worth of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria medicines, as well as other lifesaving drugs, were also delivered.

The convoy was led by the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

‘A Critical Lifeline’

“The arrival of this convoy is a critical lifeline for children who have been cut off from assistance for far too long,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative in Sudan.

Due to intensified hostilities and insecurity along the main route from Al Obeid, the convoy was forced to halt for more than 40 days, delaying the mission and exposing communities to further risk.

The trucks ultimately reached Dilling by navigating a longer and more difficult off-road route, highlighting how humanitarian teams continue operating under extremely challenging conditions, said Makena Walker, acting WFP Country Director for Sudan.

“Routes must remain open and predictable so vital assistance can reach people without interruption, including communities that have been cut off for far too long,” she said.

UN agencies stressed that sustained, predictable and safe access is urgently needed to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation across South Kordofan.

Call to Step Up Support

“The arrival of lifesaving medicine in South Kordofan is a huge relief for patients who have watched stocks dwindle during the war. But now the clock starts ticking again,” said Luca Renda, UNDP Resident Representative in Sudan.

“To keep patients alive, we must scale up support for national systems that can maintain regular deliveries across Sudan, even while the war continues.”