UN Identifies Drones as Primary Cause of Sudan Civilian Deaths

The United Nations has identified drones as the primary cause of civilian deaths in Sudan's civil war this year. According to UN human rights chief Volker Türk, more than 300 people were killed by drone strikes during the first three weeks of October alone.

Both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) utilize drone technology to strike deep behind enemy lines, though the weapons have not provided a decisive military advantage. The Sudanese military employs drones from Iran and Turkey to target supply chains and commanders. Conversely, the RSF uses Chinese drones, supplied or operated by the United Arab Emirates, to target civilian infrastructure including water supplies and electrical grids in Khartoum.

Recent strikes highlight the humanitarian toll of these weapons. A drone attack on a market in Nyala killed 103 people, while sustained strikes in El Obeid have impeded civilian movement. While the military focuses on strategic targets, the RSF has focused on urban infrastructure, contributing to the high civilian casualty rate reported by the UN.