Sudan war: First ‘suicide’ drone attacks, now long-range strikes are the norm

El-Obeid Maternity Hospital in North Kordofan State has come under increasing pressure as tens of thousands of people, many in dire need of healthcare, flee the violence engulfing neighbouring South Kordofan State.

Drones and drought are “closing in” on Sudan, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said on Tuesday, describing unprecedented attacks on the country’s infrastructure including by drones travelling up to 1,500 kilometres before hitting their target.

“It is an assault unlike anything Sudan has seen before. In the last week of October, not a single day passed without a drone strike on a power station in Sudan . Up to 15 were hit in the month of October,” said agency spokesperson James Elder.

“This year in Sudan, two in three child casualties were killed by armed drones. They are bringing war to places that were once safe. People in Sudan talk about three things: they talk about safety, education and water. Drones are taking all three .”

The UNICEF alert comes amid ongoing fighting between former allies turned military rivals the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Well over 15 million people urgently require shelter across the country but drone strikes on civilians, markets and key public infrastructure continue to hinder aid efforts and increase the suffering of non-combatants.

本文の著作権はUN Newsにあります。