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

CAIRO (AP) — A rights group reported that drone strikes have killed eight civilians and injured dozens in Sudan's North Kordofan region on Friday. The group, known as Emergency Lawyers, documented the incident that occurred in the desert town of Sowdari on Thursday. According to the statement posted on Facebook, the strikes constitute a violation of international humanitarian law and are considered war crimes.

The group called for an independent investigation to ascertain the responsible party. Sudan has been embroiled in a full-scale civil war since April 2023, following clashes between the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group and the Sudanese military. The conflict has resulted in at least 59,000 deaths, according to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data, a group monitoring conflicts.

However, aid organizations believe the actual death toll could be significantly higher. Drone warfare has emerged as a prominent tactic in Sudan's war, with both factions conducting strikes. These strikes are now the primary cause of civilian fatalities, accounting for 80% of all civilian deaths during the first four months of 2026, as noted by the United Nations.