Drone strikes across Sudan kill 33
Drone strikes targeting markets in Sudan’s western Kordofan and Darfur regions killed at least 33 people on March 8th, according to The New Arab and agencies on the same day.
The strikes hit several markets in areas under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). At least 33 civilians were killed and dozens more wounded when the attacks struck crowded market areas.
Two of the attacks targeted small towns in Western Kordofan state, an oil-rich region that has become the fiercest battlefront in the civil war between Sudan’s army and the anti-government paramilitary RSF militia.
In the East Darfur state capital of El-Daein, a drone also struck a local market and hit oil barrels being sold there, causing a fire that was still burning several hours later.
The RSF blamed the Sudanese army for carrying out the strikes and said the attacks caused significant civilian casualties. An army source denied these accusations.
Drone attacks have increasingly been used during the conflict between Sudan’s armed forces and the RSF. Both sides have used drones to strike positions and infrastructure behind front lines as fighting has spread across several regions of the country.
Sudan has been at war since April 2023 between the army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The conflict began after tensions between the two sides escalated into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum.
The fighting quickly spread beyond the capital to other regions, including Darfur, where clashes have been particularly intense. Control of towns and strategic areas has shifted repeatedly during the conflict.
Darfur has long been affected by violence and instability, and the current war has worsened the security situation across the region. Large parts of Darfur are now controlled by the RSF and allied militias.
The war has triggered a major humanitarian crisis across Sudan. Millions of people have been displaced from their homes as fighting continues in several regions.
Aid organisations have warned of worsening shortages of food, medicine and basic services as the conflict disrupts supply routes and access to humanitarian assistance.
The New Arab and agencies, Maghrebi.org
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