Full Breakdown
Drone Strikes Deepen Civilian Toll in Sudan’s Ongoing War
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On Sunday evening, two drone strikes hit the transport hub of al-Dibab in West Kordofan, killing 80 civilians gathering to travel home after market day. A second strike hit nearby al-Mujlad, injuring four people who remain in treatment. The same week saw a drone strike near Khartoum’s airport that killed three children and an adult, a crowded livestock market in Nyala on October 16 2026 that left 30 dead and 47 wounded, and an attack on Amiet Market in Abyei that authorities say killed at least 73 civilians and injured 19.
Background & Context
The conflict erupted in April 2023 when a power struggle between Sudan’s army, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, turned into open war. Both sides have increasingly employed unmanned aerial systems. Between January and April 2026, drone strikes accounted for at least 880 civilian deaths, representing over 80 % of all civilian fatalities in the war.
Data & Statistics
- al-Dibab/al-Mujlad attacks: 80 killed, 4 injured.
- Khartoum airport neighborhood: 4 killed, including three children aged 2-6.
- Nyala livestock market (Oct 16 2026): 30 killed, 47 injured.
- Abyei Amiet Market: at least 73 killed, 19 wounded.
- First half of 2026: UN reports over 1,100 deaths from drone strikes across Sudan.
- Overall conflict: ACLED estimates at least 59,000 deaths; UN figures place 13 million displaced and 33.7 million in need of aid.
Official Statements & Responses
- The RSF-declared administration (Tasis) accused the Sudanese army of the al-Dibab strike.
- The Sudanese army acknowledges air operations against RSF positions but says its strikes target military objectives, denying responsibility for civilian casualties at Nyala.
- The RSF alleged the use of a Turkish-made Akinci drone in the Nyala attack and suggested Egyptian involvement, though no independent verification exists.
- Yohana Akol, caretaker information minister for Abyei, blamed the Sudanese army for the Amiet Market strike, citing seven bombs dropped on the fuel section.
- The United States urged the UN Security Council to press for a humanitarian truce and expand the arms embargo; China and Russia opposed widening the embargo.
Criticism & Opposition
Human rights group Emergency Lawyers condemned the Khartoum drone attack as a “serious violation” of international humanitarian law and called for an investigation. The RSF-aligned Sudan Founding Alliance has demanded an independent probe into the Nyala market strike and urged stronger civilian protection measures.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Responsibility for the Nyala market strike remains disputed.
- Casualty numbers for the Abyei attack vary; Abyei officials cite 73 deaths, while other sources have not released a confirmed toll.
- The identity of the drone used in the Nyala strike and the alleged Egyptian involvement have not been independently verified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “A total of 80 people were killed in the drone strike on al-Dibab, and another drone strike on al-Mujlad injured four who are currently being treated.” — Ahmed Wadi, witness
- “The drone dropped seven bombs in the northern checkpoint of the market where the fuel is sold. These bombs have caused casualties, loss of lives, and property destruction. The target is the fuel market,” — Yohana Akol
What’s Next
The United States continues to lobby the UN Security Council for a broader arms embargo and a humanitarian cease-fire. UN officials plan to monitor the impact of drone warfare on civilian populations and assess the feasibility of an independent investigation into recent market strikes.