Drone strikes threaten civilians and aid operations in Sudan

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that drone strikes in Sudan are increasing risks to civilians and hindering humanitarian access in conflict-affected areas. A reported strike in North Darfur’s Ghara al Zawiya village killed at least 35 people and injured dozens more, according to the UN human rights office. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been engaged in active combat since April 2023, exacerbating the crisis.

OCHA highlighted renewed drone attacks in El Obeid, North Kordofan, which threaten civilians, critical infrastructure, and humanitarian operations. UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher stated that aid workers are expanding efforts to assist affected families in North Kordofan, while calling on warring parties to protect civilians and allow unimpeded humanitarian access. The UN has appealed for increased donor support, noting only $1.2 billion of the $2.9 billion required for Sudan’s humanitarian response has been received this year.

The United Nations and its partners, known as the Quintet, continued diplomatic consultations with Sudanese political leaders to support an inclusive, Sudanese-led peace process. The Quintet, comprising the UN, African Union, IGAD, League of Arab States, and European Union, discussed confidence-building measures and proposals to advance political dialogue during meetings in New York.

UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, engaged with Sudan’s Foreign Minister and RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) to push for de-escalation and dialogue. Haavisto is also traveling to Türkiye to meet with authorities and Sudanese stakeholders, including youth and women representatives, to further facilitate peace efforts and address practical challenges such as Sudanese national examinations for students in Chad.