Drones become deadliest threat to civilians in Sudan
New attacks on electricity facilities show how the war is reaching ever further beyond the front lines.
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Drones have become the deadliest threat to civilians in the war in Sudan, the Associated Press reports. New attacks on electricity facilities have also further isolated parts of the country.
In Sudan, drones are increasingly being used against areas where civilians live and essential services are located. According to the Associated Press, drones have now become the deadliest threat to civilians in the civil war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
On Sunday, electricity substations were hit in two cities in northern Sudan. The Sudanese government and a human rights organisation attributed the attacks to the Rapid Support Forces, but that attribution has not been independently established.
The attacks are part of a broader series of incidents. According to the organisation Emergency Lawyers, fifteen substations have been hit since the beginning of October. As a result, the electricity grid has become more dependent on a limited number of remaining power stations.
Drones are also changing the geographical scale of the war. They can strike targets far behind the traditional front lines, leaving civilians, markets, hospitals and other essential services vulnerable. The United Nations has warned that drone and air strikes continue to threaten civilians.
The war began in April 2023 as a power struggle between the Sudanese army and the RSF. Both parties have been accused of serious violations of humanitarian law. It is often difficult to establish who is responsible for a specific attack, partly because access to affected areas is limited.
Damage to electricity supplies can also affect water pumps, hospitals, communications and food supplies.
The development also highlights the internationalisation of the conflict. Researchers and UN bodies have pointed to foreign support and technology for both warring parties. That makes it harder to separate the supply of weapons and parts from the regional power struggle.
For civilians, the advance of drones means that distance from the front offers less protection. The UN has called on both parties to stop using drones, but there is no agreement on protecting civilians or on a ceasefire.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Sudan has been embroiled in a war between the army and the RSF since April 2023.
- Both parties use drones, which also hit infrastructure.
- The UN reports that civilians are at risk from drone and air strikes.
Left
Arguments The international community should prioritise civilian protection and humanitarian access over military support for warring parties.
Values Human rights, international responsibility and the protection of vulnerable groups.
Consequences Greater pressure on foreign suppliers could limit attacks, but may increase diplomatic and regional tensions.
Centre
Arguments A credible route lies through a monitored ceasefire, investigations into attacks and negotiations with both power blocs.
Values Institutional legitimacy, evidence and workable diplomacy.
Consequences That could curb escalation, but requires cooperation from parties that have so far shown little trust.
Right
Arguments The priority should be regional security and countering armed groups; without military pressure, aid and negotiations will remain vulnerable.
Values Order, security and deterrence.
Consequences More military support could alter the balance of power, but would also increase the risk of further civilian casualties.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The attacks described, the number of substations cited and the UN warnings are linked to the sources. Where responsibility has not been independently established, this is stated explicitly.
- confirmed According to AP, drones are the deadliest threat to civilians in the Sudanese war. — AP describes drone warfare as the deadliest threat to civilians. source
- confirmed Fifteen substations have been hit since the beginning of October, according to Emergency Lawyers. — AP cites the organisation giving this figure. source
- confirmed The UN warns that drone and air strikes threaten civilians. — UN statement to the Security Council. source
Editor's note
The new attacks on electricity facilities and the broader UN warning have been confirmed. Attributions to the RSF have been presented as claims by the Sudanese government and a rights organisation.Sources
- Sudan’s power grid nears collapse as drone strikes blamed on RSF — Associated Press
- Remarks by USG DiCarlo to the Security Council on Sudan — United Nations
- Foreign support, drones fuel Sudan war and possible war crimes — Reuters via MarketScreener
More on this in Dutch media
- Het Parool — „sudan drones”
- Trouw — „sudan drones”
- NRC — „sudan drones”