Sudan’s Forgotten War: Drone Strikes, Sexual Violence, and a Deepening Humanitarian Catastrophe
Nearly three years after war erupted in Sudan, civilians continue to endure relentless violence, including deadly drone strikes and widespread sexual assault, while the world’s attention drifts elsewhere. The conflict, which began on April 15, 2023, has spiraled into one of the worst humanitarian crises of the decade, yet international efforts to broker peace remain ineffective.
Escalating Drone Warfare
In recent weeks, drone attacks have surged across Sudan’s White Nile state and Kordofan region, killing dozens in indiscriminate strikes. One of the deadliest incidents occurred earlier this week when a drone hit a pickup truck carrying mourners to a funeral in West Kordofan, killing at least 40 people—many of them women. Neither the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) nor the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed responsibility, leaving survivors without answers.
According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), at least 198 drone strikes were recorded in January and February alone. Analysts warn the violence will likely worsen as both sides race for battlefield gains before the rainy season complicates troop movements in June.
“The surge in drone attacks shows that despite global distractions, foreign arms supplies to both factions continue,” said Hamid Khalafallah, an independent Sudanese policy analyst.
A War with No Winners, Only Victims
The conflict stems from a power struggle between SAF leader General Abdel Fattah Burhan and RSF commander General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo over control of Sudan’s future. What began as a political dispute has since devolved into a brutal war with catastrophic human costs.
- Casualties: An estimated 250,000 killed, though exact figures are impossible to verify due to restricted access to conflict zones.
- Displacement: 14 million people—nearly a quarter of Sudan’s population—have fled their homes, making this the world’s largest displacement crisis.
- Gender-Based Violence: Over 12 million women and girls face heightened risks of sexual assault, forced marriage, and trafficking, per UNESCO.
- Collapsing Infrastructure: Cholera, malaria, and dengue fever are spreading as healthcare and sanitation systems fail. The WHO warns 20 million people urgently need medical aid.
“Sudan is facing a prolonged humanitarian disaster that’s fading from global headlines,” said Samy Guessabi, Sudan director for Action Against Hunger. “Families are skipping meals, selling possessions, and making desperate choices—like marrying off young daughters—just to survive.”
Women on the Frontlines of Survival
Despite immense suffering, Sudanese women have emerged as key responders to the crisis. Grassroots networks run by female volunteers organize community kitchens, distribute food, and provide trauma support in besieged towns.
“These women are often the only lifelines keeping communities alive,” said Michelle D’Arcy of Norwegian People’s Aid. Yet their efforts receive little international backing.
Salma Suliman, founder of the Sudanese NGO Taja, warns that the war is robbing an entire generation of their future. “With 19 million children out of school, especially girls, the long-term consequences will haunt Sudan for decades,” she said.
Failed Diplomacy and Foreign Agendas
Peace talks led by the Quad—the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE—have repeatedly collapsed. Meanwhile, foreign powers remain entangled in the conflict:
- The UAE is accused of backing the RSF (a claim Abu Dhabi denies).
- Egypt and Turkey support the SAF-aligned government.
- The U.S. recently designated Sudan’s Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group, citing its role in civilian atrocities.
“These moves are more about geopolitical maneuvering than protecting Sudanese lives,” Khalafallah noted.
A Crisis the World Ignores
Despite documented war crimes—including mass killings in Darfur—Sudan ranks among the most neglected crises globally. Aid groups plead for urgent intervention before famine takes hold.
“The world cannot afford to look away,” D’Arcy urged. “Without immediate ceasefire efforts and support for civilian peacebuilders, Sudan’s nightmare will only deepen.”
— Reported by Nexio News
