Sudan’s Humanitarian Crisis Worsens as Drone Strikes, Shelling Claim Hundreds of Lives
May 10, 2024
Sudan’s brutal conflict has entered a deadly new phase, with drone warfare and artillery shelling killing hundreds of civilians in recent months. The United Nations issued a stark warning on Tuesday, revealing that at least 880 civilians have died in drone attacks since January—accounting for over 80% of conflict-related civilian deaths.
Escalating Violence Across Regions
The Kordofan region has borne the brunt of the violence. On May 8 alone, strikes in South Kordofan’s El Goz locality and near El Obeid in North Kordofan killed 26 people. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, described the situation as approaching a “catastrophically bloodier phase,” with drone warfare now spreading beyond traditional frontlines.
Once confined to Darfur and Kordofan, drone attacks have expanded into Blue Nile, White Nile, and the capital, Khartoum. A May 4 strike on Khartoum International Airport disrupted air traffic, while Khartoum and Omdurman faced repeated assaults between late April and early May.
Markets and Hospitals Under Fire
Civilian infrastructure has become a frequent target. The UN documented at least 28 attacks on marketplaces and 12 strikes on health facilities in the past four months, forcing many hospitals to close. Türk called armed drones “the principal cause” of civilian casualties, warning that their use allows fighting to persist even as Sudan’s rainy season approaches.
Shelling Devastates Delling
In South Kordofan’s capital, Delling, artillery fire by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied factions killed at least 10 civilians on Tuesday. Shells struck a crowded motor park, causing widespread casualties. A relative of one victim told local media that the bombardment originated from the city’s west.
The Delling Emergency Coordination Council condemned the attack as a severe human rights violation, noting it worsened conditions for residents already struggling with shortages. Just two days earlier, another shelling incident in the city left one dead and five wounded.
Displacement Camps in Flames
North Darfur’s displacement camps faced fresh disasters over the weekend. A fire in Katur village destroyed 33 shelters, while a second blaze in Tawila locality wiped out 42 homes, displacing dozens of families. Aid groups warned that survivors urgently need tents, food, and clean water.
Women Traders Receive Lifeline in Nyala
Amid the chaos, a rare glimmer of hope emerged in Nyala, South Darfur, where authorities launched a program supporting 50 women traders whose businesses were ruined by drone strikes and market fires. The initiative, offering cash assistance, plans to expand to 100 more women in a second phase.
Water Crisis Looms After Border Strike
A drone attack on El Tina, near Sudan’s border with Chad, destroyed the area’s only water source last Friday, killing civilians and livestock. With residents now relying on unsafe water, local groups fear disease outbreaks and have appealed for emergency aid.
Tribal Clashes Compound Crisis
Intercommunal violence flared in South Darfur’s Gereida locality after theft accusations sparked clashes last Thursday, leaving 12 dead and dozens of homes burned. Though a temporary ceasefire was brokered, residents demanded permanent security forces to prevent further bloodshed.
UN Warns of Famine, Siege Conditions
Türk cautioned that further escalation in Kordofan could trigger mass displacement and siege-like conditions in El Obeid and Delling. Malnutrition rates in Um Baru locality have already surpassed emergency levels, while aid access remains hampered by ongoing attacks.
“The violence is obstructing lifesaving assistance just as famine spreads,” Türk said, urging warring parties to protect civilians and allow safe passage for aid. With drone strikes expanding and food shortages worsening, Sudan’s crisis shows no signs of abating.
— Reported by Nexio News
