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UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk strongly criticized the increasing use of these weapons in the brutal war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which recently entered its fourth year.
“Armed drones have now become the leading cause of civilian deaths,he said.
“Increasing reliance on drones allows hostilities to continue ahead of the rainy season, which in the past has led to ground operations being halted.”
The international community is taking notice
The High Commissioner warned of widespread violence in the coming weeks “as parties seek to gain or consolidate control over territory amid changing conflict dynamics” that could trigger more displacement and disruption to humanitarian assistance.
“This must not be allowed to happen,” he said. “The international community recognizes that, unless action is taken without delay, This conflict is almost entering a new, even deadlier phase.”
The Kordofan region became the center of the attack
Most civilian deaths from drone strikes between January and April were recorded in the Kordofan region.
The most recent incidents occurred on May 8, when 26 civilians were reported killed, and others injured, in attacks in Al Quz in South Kordofan and near El Obeid in North Kordofan.
The warring parties have repeatedly attacked civilian objects and infrastructure. This includes markets, with at least 28 similar attacks resulting in civilian casualties.
Health facilities have been impacted at least 12 times over a four-month period. Some have closed their doors, forcing civilians to travel long distances to receive treatment or leave without assistance.
Fuel warehouses and supply lines have also been repeatedly hit in recent weeks.
The use of drones is increasingly widespread
The use of drones by both warring parties is increasingly spreading beyond the Kordofan and Darfur regions to the Blue Nile, White Nile and Khartoum.
The attack on Khartoum International Airport on 4 May resulted in disruption to all flights, while several targeted drone attacks occurred elsewhere in Khartoum and its twin city of Omdurman between 28 April and 5 May.
“The intensity of these attacks has shattered the calm that prevailed in recent months, as more civilians returned to the capital – and sparked fears of a return to hostilities in Khartoum.Mr. Türk said.
The possible escalation of hostilities in Kordofan would also put civilians at greater risk of retaliatory attacks and further large-scale displacement, he added. This was particularly the case in the SAF-held cities of El Obeid and Dilling in South Kordofan, both of which were under siege-like conditions.
Humanitarian access is impacted
Increased violence will also disrupt humanitarian operations, the High Commissioner warned.
“Most countries, including Kordofan, now face an increased risk of famine and acute food insecurity, a situation exacerbated by expected fertilizer delays or shortages due to the Gulf crisis,” he said.
Responding to this situation, UN Human Rights Chair called for strong measures to prevent the transfer of weapons, including increasingly sophisticated armed drones, to parties in Sudan.
“Drone attacks on civilians and civilian objects will only get worse if these attacks are met with impunity, and this violence is increasingly normalized as a tactic carried out by both sides.he said.
Mr Türk once again called on all parties to ensure the protection of civilians, including their safe movement from areas of active hostilities.
They must also be protected from acts of reprisal, including summary executions, sexual violence, arbitrary detention and kidnapping, he added.
