Drone strikes kill 8 civilians in Sudan’s North Kordofan, group says

A rights group reported on Friday that drone strikes in Sudan’s North Kordofan region resulted in the deaths of eight civilians and the wounding of dozens more. Emergency Lawyers, an independent organization that documents atrocities in Sudan, detailed that a drone targeted civilians traveling in the desert town of Sowdari on Thursday.

Subsequently, a second drone struck the injured victims as they were being rescued, according to the group's statement on Facebook. The group emphasized that such actions constitute a violation of international humanitarian law and constitute a war crime, calling for an independent investigation to ascertain responsibility. Sudan's conflict erupted in April 2023, with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces clashing against the Sudanese military.

As of now, the conflict has claimed at least 59,000 lives, though aid groups suggest the actual death toll is significantly higher due to underreporting. Drone warfare has become a defining element of Sudan's war, with both sides utilizing drones. The United Nations has reported that drone strikes are now the primary cause of civilian deaths, accounting for 80% of such fatalities during the first four months of 2026.