In brief
In a brutal escalation, Sudan's army drone strikes hit a funeral convoy and a market near Abyei, killing at least 200 civilians and injuring hundreds more. Armed drones, increasingly used by both sides, have become the conflict’s weapon of choice amid a humanitarian crisis that displaced millions. The state of emergency has drawn UN condemnation and raised fears of a spillover into South Sudan. Experts warn that drone warfare disrupts essential services and heightens famine risk in western Sudan. International arms embargoes are being circumvented as foreign countries supply drones to both the army and the RSF.
Sudan's army has allegedly used drones to hit a funeral convoy and a chaotic market, killing more than 200 civilians as part of its ongoing conflict against the Rapid Support Forces.
Early this week, a truck carrying around 200 mourners traveling from north of Abyei was struck by an army drone as it entered West Kordofan, killing 145 people. A funeral tent in Al-Dabab was also destroyed, adding to the casualty toll.
Later on Monday, the drone bombed a fuel market in the town of Al-Mujlad, killing 73 and igniting widespread fires. Eyewitness footage shows a plume of smoke over the market, confirming the strike.
The attacks have worsened tensions between Sudan and South Sudan, who jointly govern Abyei. South Sudan has summoned Sudan's ambassador to lodge a formal protest, and experts fear the violence could spill across the border.
Armed drones have become the preferred weapon in the Sudan war, with both the army and the RSF receiving foreign drone support despite a partial arms embargo. The use of drones has also disrupted essential services and raised the risk of famine in western Sudan’s Darfur and Greater Kordofan regions.
United Nations spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric condemned the deadly strikes, saying they are “killing civilians, including children” and undermining humanitarian efforts. The latest attacks come amid a humanitarian crisis that has displaced over 14 million people and left 20 million facing acute hunger.
Medical teams from Médecins Sans Frontières are treating wounded survivors from the Abyei market at Ameth Bek Hospital, while fire crews struggle to retrieve bodies amid ongoing blaze.
As the war intensifies, the international community is urged to enforce embargoes and seek a ceasefire to prevent further civilian casualties.
