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The attacks, carried out by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), hit homes, markets, hospitals, refugee camps, power plants and water sources in Kordofan, Darfur, Blue Nile, Khartoum and other states, according to the UN human rights office (OHCHR).
“The increasing use of drones, which have accounted for the majority of conflict-related civilian deaths in Sudan this year, is deeply troubling and has resulted in a huge toll.,” said Mr. Türk.
Targeted by both parties
In a particularly disturbing trend, the office documented a number of strikes at refugee camps, where people fleeing the fighting sought refuge.
Between October 6 and 10, suspected drone attacks attributed to military government forces on refugee camps in Ghubeish and El Nuhud in West Kordofan killed at least 25 civiliansincluding women and children.
On October 9, a drone suspected to be RSF attacked a crowd of refugees involved in community gold mining near a refugee site in Abu Shendi, Blue Nile, killed at least 31 people, most of them women and children.
On October 18, at least 139 people were killed when a transport truck was hit in repeated “double tap” attacks. in Dibab, West Kordofan, an area controlled by the RSF militia.
Markets and hospitals were also affectedincluding an RSF-induced strike against the Um Darfa hospital in the Blue Nile on 11 October which injured two health workers and rendered the facility inoperable.
“Dozens of civilians have been killed, including internally displaced people, and critical infrastructure and services have been damaged, prompting further displacement and deepening an already severe humanitarian crisis.” said OHCHR Spokesperson Seif Magango.
Calling for a ceasefire
Mr Türk called on the parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law (IHL), including by not directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects.
“Broader peace efforts must address the influx of weapons that continues to fuel conflict and urge an end to the transfer of weapons used in disregard of IHL obligations to protect civilians,” he said.
“I urge both parties to the conflict, and their affiliates, to commit to a ceasefire,” the High Commissioner added, emphasizing that a negotiated settlement that prioritizes human rights, underpinned by accountability, is the only possible path to sustainable peace in Sudan.
