Sourced fact
The News
A wave of drone attacks has hit Sudan, resulting in over 300 deaths within two days. Local sources reported that Sudanese military drones killed 150 people in Central Kordofan and 153 in a market in Abiei, a disputed border area between Sudan and South Sudan. Abiei’s Information Minister, Yohana Akol Ngur, announced that the death toll had risen to 153. Military sources noted that the attacks targeted fuel supply sites for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a competing government force.
These attacks have heightened tensions between the two countries, with South Sudan accusing Sudan of launching strikes on the Abiei market. According to Abiei's Information Minister, the attacks targeted a fuel supply site for the RSF. Ngur told the media, "It is a terrifying and shocking situation." Military sources stated that air defenses in Khartoum shot down several drones launched by the RSF towards the airport.
French news agency AFP reported another drone attack near Khartoum airport, resulting in four deaths, including three children. According to a medical source, Abiei's hospital received more than 20 injured, some in critical condition. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) stated they are providing surgical and wound treatment services. MSF spokesperson Christian Lindtore mentioned that the hospital is also providing emergency and basic healthcare services.
BBC news agency noted that the attacks began in the evening of Sunday and continued until Monday morning, targeting a market in Abiei with drones. According to conflict monitoring sources, the attacks may have originated from Kadugli, a city controlled by the Sudanese Armed Forces. Despite partial arms embargoes on Sudan, foreign nations continue to supply both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF with drones, making them a primary weapon in the conflict.
UN spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, expressed concern over the ongoing attacks targeting civilians, including children, which disrupt essential services. Humanitarian organizations reported that 20 million people face severe food insecurity, with famine possible in some areas of western Darfur and greater Kordofan. These areas form a strategic corridor connecting RSF-held areas in Darfur to Khartoum, controlled by the Sudanese Armed Forces.
Analysis & context
Analysis & Context
Analytically, drones have become a primary tool in the conflict between Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF since the conflict erupted in 2023. These attacks are escalating tensions between Sudan and South Sudan, which jointly manage the disputed area of Abiei. In a broader context, the conflict in Sudan is among the worst humanitarian crises globally, with 20 million people facing severe food insecurity and famine risks in some regions.
The conflict in western Kordofan, an area rich in gold and oil, is strategically crucial, as the Sudanese military seeks control over these vital areas linking Darfur and Khartoum. This ongoing struggle poses a significant risk to civilians, increasing the need for peaceful solutions and international support to halt the violence and restore stability to the region.
