In the latest flashpoint of Sudan’s protracted conflict, a drone strike carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Friday killed 41 civilians in the Blue Nile region, near the Ethiopian border. The strike hit a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Abu Shandi area, according to the human‑rights group Emergency Lawyers. The incident underscores the growing danger to non‑combatants as the war between the Sudanese army and the RSF drags on.
Background to the conflict
Since 2023, Sudan’s army and the RSF—a paramilitary force that grew out of the Janjaweed militias—have been locked in a violent power struggle. The fighting has already claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and forced more than 14 million people to flee their homes, creating one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The army controls much of the country’s central and eastern territories, while the RSF dominates Darfur in the west and holds sway over parts of the south.
The drone strike
The attack targeted a makeshift settlement for displaced civilians in Abu Shandi, a town that sits close to the Ethiopian border. While the exact type of drone was not disclosed, the RSF’s use of aerial weapons has become increasingly common in the war. Initial reports indicated that the majority of those killed were women and children, a detail that the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlighted in its statement of “appalled” reaction.
Humanitarian impact
Beyond the immediate loss of life, the strike exacerbates an already dire situation. OCHA noted that the area had been under "sustained attack in recent weeks," displacing thousands and exposing many more to grave harm. The camp’s residents, already living with limited access to medical care, food, and clean water, now face heightened insecurity and trauma.
- Casualties: 41 civilians killed, most reportedly women and children.
- Location: Abu Shandi, Blue Nile region, near the Ethiopian border.
- Perpetrator: Rapid Support Forces, a Sudanese paramilitary group.
International reaction
The United Nations, through OCHA, condemned the strike, describing the reports as "horrifying" and calling for an immediate halt to attacks on civilian populations. Human‑rights organisations have repeatedly warned that the RSF’s tactics—particularly the use of drones—pose a severe threat to the protection of civilians under international law.
Uncertainty and open questions
Verification of details: The source does not provide independent verification of the casualty figures beyond the rights group’s report, leaving some uncertainty about the exact number of victims.
Motivation: While the RSF claims the target was a "militant" encampment, the location’s designation as a displaced‑people camp suggests a possible intent to intimidate civilian populations, though the precise motive remains unclear.
Future security: The strike raises concerns about the safety of IDP camps across Sudan, especially those near contested borders. Without a ceasefire or robust humanitarian corridors, further attacks on civilian sites appear likely.
Conclusion
The drone strike in Abu Shandi is a stark reminder that the civilian cost of Sudan’s internal war continues to rise. As the RSF expands its use of aerial weaponry, the international community faces increasing pressure to enforce protections for civilians and to push for a durable political solution. Until such measures are taken, the people displaced by conflict remain vulnerable to attacks that blur the line between combatants and civilians.