Drone Strike in Sudan Kills 12 Civilians, Including Children

On Wednesday, a drone strike in Kutum, located in Sudan's North Darfur state, resulted in the deaths of 12 civilians, including six children, according to a medic source and local activist. The strike is part of an increase in drone attacks attributed to the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since the outbreak of conflict in April 2023.

Among the deceased were three female secondary school students, and sixteen others, including women and children, were injured and received treatment. The strike hit the Al Salama neighbourhood near the Al Um Girl School.

The El Fasher Resistance Committee, a pro-democracy group, has blamed the army for the attack. The United Nations has reported that drone attacks have killed 500 civilians between January and mid-March 2023, warning of the devastating impact of such high-tech weaponry in populated conflict areas.

The ongoing violence has led to the deaths of approximately 10,000 people and displaced 11 million, creating what the UN describes as the world's largest displacement and hunger crisis.