Drone attacks expand across Sudan

The pace of drone attacks in Sudan has escalated, with a military source announcing that a drone operated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted the city of Al-Duweim in White Nile State on Friday. The incident marks a further indication of the expanding use of drone warfare in the conflict that has been ongoing for over two years.

These developments coincide with an announcement by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) that it treated 167 people wounded in drone strikes in the Kordofan and Darfur regions during the first half of February. The organization said the injuries handled at its medical facilities included “penetrating chest and abdominal wounds, multiple limb fractures, severe head trauma, and shrapnel injuries caused by explosive fragments,” indicating the proximity of the blasts to populated areas.

MSF stressed that the attacks were not limited to military targets but also struck civilian areas and vital infrastructure, including schools, markets, health centers, and water sources. The organization noted that the strikes were attributed to “both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF,” warning that the increasing use of drones in populated areas heightens risks to civilians and poses a direct threat to humanitarian workers, at a time when the health sector is under immense strain and facing acute shortages of supplies.

The Kordofan region, comprising North, West, and South Kordofan states, along with the Darfur region, has witnessed intense fighting for months as both sides seek to strengthen their strategic positions and control supply routes and urban centers. Observers say the extensive reliance on drones reflects a shift in combat tactics, as the technology enables rapid and relatively low-cost strikes. However, it also increases the likelihood of civilian casualties, particularly in the absence of clearly defined front lines within cities and towns.

The escalation comes amid a deepening humanitarian crisis. The war has displaced millions of Sudanese internally and across borders, degraded basic services, and disrupted electricity, water, and telecommunications networks across wide areas. Hospitals are struggling with shortages of staff and medical supplies, making it increasingly difficult to cope with waves of casualties resulting from bombardment.

As both sides continue to trade accusations over the targeting of civilian areas, domestic and international calls are mounting for an immediate ceasefire, the protection of civilians, and the opening of safe corridors for aid delivery. However, ongoing battles in Kordofan and Darfur, along with the expanding scope of air and drone strikes, suggest that the conflict is becoming more complex, with no clear signs of an imminent comprehensive political settlement.