UN chief ‘appalled’ by Sudan drone strikes on civilians

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres expressed profound distress over the recent drone strikes on civilians in Sudan, according to his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric. The strikes, which killed at least 102 people in a market in Darfur, have drawn harsh condemnation from the secretary-general. Dujarric emphasized that drones have claimed the lives of hundreds of Sudanese citizens across the nation, violating international humanitarian law.

Guterres urged the conflicting parties to protect civilians and vital infrastructure, and to cease hostilities immediately in a bid to alleviate the devastating conflict. The market targeted by the army on Monday was located in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur and a stronghold of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF has been in a state of war with the army since April 2023, controlling territory in Darfur where they have established an administration that rivals the internationally-recognized government in Khartoum.

The Sudanese conflict, now in its fourth year, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, the displacement of millions, and has been characterized by the UN as one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises.