More than 300 people have reportedly been killed in a series of drone strikes in Sudan and the disputed border region of Abyei, with civilians among the victims as the conflict between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) intensifies.
According to the Sudan War Observatory, 150 people were killed in drone strikes in two areas of West Kordofan state on Sunday evening. Sources said some of those killed were travelling to attend a funeral.
A separate attack in Abyei on Monday reportedly killed 153 people after drones struck a market, according to the region’s information minister.
A military source told the BBC that Sudan’s army carried out the Abyei strike, claiming the market served as a fuel supply point for the RSF. The reported military justification has not independently established the circumstances surrounding the civilian casualties.
The attack has heightened tensions between Sudan and South Sudan, which both claim the oil-rich Abyei region. The territory has remained disputed since South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011.
In response, South Sudan summoned Sudan’s ambassador to lodge a formal protest over the incident. The diplomatic move has raised concerns that the conflict could extend beyond Sudan’s borders.
Fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF began in April 2023 and has devastated communities across the country, forcing millions from their homes and worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis.
Drones have increasingly become a central weapon in the conflict. Despite a partial arms embargo on Sudan, foreign countries have reportedly supplied drones to both sides, expanding their capacity to conduct attacks over long distances.
The latest reported deaths underscore the growing risks facing civilians as the war continues, while the incident in Abyei threatens to complicate relations between the two neighbouring countries.
The circumstances of the strikes and the full extent of the casualties remain subject to further verification.
