Sudan War enters deadlier phase as drone attacks kill over 1,000 civilians in five months

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 By our Correspondence 

KHARTOUM, Sudan – Sudan's devastating civil war has entered a new and more dangerous chapter, with the United Nations warning that the rapid expansion of drone warfare is driving a surge in civilian deaths while simultaneously crippling humanitarian aid operations across the country.

According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, more than 1,000 civilians were killed in drone strikes between January and May 2026 alone, highlighting a dramatic escalation in a conflict that is now in its fourth year. The UN says the growing reliance on armed drones by both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has transformed the battlefield and increased risks for civilians.

"In Sudan, the horrific conflict has expanded and escalated, marked by a sharp increase in the use of drone warfare," UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk told the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The war, which erupted in April 2023 following a power struggle between the military and the RSF, has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and triggered what the United Nations describes as the world's largest humanitarian crisis. An estimated 34 million people now require humanitarian assistance, while millions have been displaced from their homes.

Human rights monitors say drone attacks have increasingly targeted civilian infrastructure, including markets, hospitals, fuel stations and displacement camps.

The UN reported last month that drones accounted for more than 80 percent of civilian conflict-related deaths during the first four months of 2026, with the violence concentrated largely in the Kordofan region. Fighting in North and South Kordofan has intensified in recent months as both sides seek to consolidate territorial control.

Recent incidents have included strikes on markets, civilian vehicles and other non-military locations, further raising concerns about possible violations of international humanitarian law. The UN has repeatedly called on all parties to protect civilians and avoid attacks on civilian infrastructure.

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Beyond the immediate human toll, the conflict is also disrupting the delivery of life-saving aid.

The United Nations recently warned that attacks on key transport infrastructure are severely hampering humanitarian operations. One of the most significant setbacks came after explosions reportedly damaged the Ardamata Bridge in West Darfur, a crucial route linking the region to neighbouring Chad and serving as a major corridor for humanitarian supplies.

Additional bridge destructions along the Kadugli-Dilling road in South Kordofan have further complicated relief efforts just as the rainy season begins, making many roads impassable and increasing fears of famine in conflict-affected areas.

Aid agencies warn that millions of people in Darfur and Kordofan could face worsening food insecurity if access routes remain blocked.

Amid the deteriorating situation, international actors are attempting to revive diplomatic engagement.

European Union representatives have recently visited Khartoum for talks with Sudanese authorities, marking one of the most significant diplomatic engagements in the capital since the conflict began. The discussions focused on humanitarian access, civilian protection and prospects for a negotiated settlement.

Meanwhile, the United Nations has expanded sanctions targeting individuals accused of fueling the conflict, including figures linked to the RSF and the recruitment of foreign fighters.

Despite these efforts, analysts warn that a political breakthrough remains elusive as both sides continue to pursue military gains on the battlefield.

As Sudan enters another year of war, humanitarian agencies fear that the combination of expanding drone warfare, collapsing infrastructure and restricted aid access could push the country deeper into catastrophe unless urgent international action is taken.