Drone Strikes Kill Dozens as Sudan Conflict Escalates
The Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces launched multiple drone strikes against civilian targets, killing nearly 100 people across Sudan and the Abyei region.
A series of drone strikes and ground clashes across Sudan and the disputed Abyei region have caused significant civilian casualties. In West Kordofan, a strike on a transport hub near a market in al-Dibab killed 80 people on Sunday. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) accused the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) of the attack. Similarly, drones fired shells at the Amiet market in Abyei on Monday, injuring at least 19 people; the Abyei government also suspects the SAF.
In West Darfur, a drone strike on October 17 killed at least 10 civilians, including children, who were harvesting crops in Sanaqit. Babiker Hamdein, the regional health minister, attributed this attack to the Rapid Support Forces. Major Mutawakkil Ali Wakil of the Joint Force condemned the strike as a grave violation of international humanitarian law.
Military engagements continued on Monday as the Sudanese army repelled a joint ground attack by the RSF and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North in Blue Nile state. Additionally, army air defenses shot down RSF drones near Khartoum International Airport. UN Undersecretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo warned the Security Council that warring parties are not moving closer to dialogue and believe they can achieve their objectives through force.
