United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed his shock at reports that more than 200 civilians have been killed in drone attacks in Sudan since March 4th.
The parties to the conflict in Sudan are using advanced military equipment, particularly in the field of drones, provided to them through neighboring countries amid widespread international condemnation.
In a statement, Türk said it is extremely worrying that despite repeated warnings and appeals, the parties to the conflict in Sudan continue to use increasingly destructive drones to launch explosive weapons with wide-reaching effects within populated areas.
He renewed his call for the warring parties to fully comply with international humanitarian law in their use of these weapons, particularly the clear prohibition on directing attacks against civilians, civilian objects, and civilian infrastructure, as well as on launching any form of indiscriminate attacks.
The war, which has been ongoing since April 2023 between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands and the displacement of more than 11 million people, causing what the UN describes as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.
The Time Has Come
Reports indicated that 152 civilians were killed in West Kordofan due to drone strikes carried out by the Sudanese Armed Forces. Among them were 50 civilians killed when attacks targeted a market and a hospital on March 4th in Al-Mujlad, according to the UN Commissioner’s statement.
Additionally, attacks on two separate markets in Abu Zabad and Wad Banda on the 7th of the same month resulted in the deaths of 40 civilians. A truck carrying civilians was also allegedly targeted by a Sudanese Armed Forces drone strike on March 10th in Al-Sunt, which reportedly led to the deaths of 50 civilians, including women and children.
In South Kordofan, reports indicated that 39 civilians were killed, including 14 in the state capital, Kadugli, due to heavy artillery shelling carried out by the Rapid Support Forces and the allied Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North on the 4th and 5th of this month. Many homes, schools, markets, and health facilities were damaged or destroyed in these attacks, exacerbating the impact on civilians and local communities, according to the same source.
UN Concern
The High Commissioner expressed concern over the recent expansion of the conflict into White Nile State, which has been subjected to intense drone attacks by the Rapid Support Forces since the 4th of this month. A secondary school and a health clinic in Shukeiri village were hit on March 11th, reportedly resulting in the deaths of 17 civilians, one of whom was a health worker.
Other Rapid Support Forces drones also targeted the state capital, Kosti, since the 4th of this month. Among them was a drone that targeted a university dormitory on the 9th, which reportedly led to the injury of seven students, some of them seriously. The following day, another drone targeted an electrical transformer at the Umm Dabaker station, causing a widespread power outage, according to the statement.
The UN Commissioner explained that soon, three full years will have passed since the outbreak of the senseless conflict in Sudan that has destroyed the lives and livelihoods of millions. Yet, the violence fueled by these new technologies of war continues to expand. He stressed that the time has come for the conflict to end, as the Sudanese people have suffered too much.
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