Drone attack kills 24 displaced civilians in Sudan, including children

A drone attack by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) devastated a vehicle carrying displaced families near Rahad in North Kordofan province on Saturday, killing 24 people, including eight children , the Sudan Doctors Network reported. Among the dead were two infants. The families had fled fighting in the Dubeiker area, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe. The doctors’ group called on the international community to act immediately to protect civilians and hold RSF leaders accountable. There was no immediate response from the RSF, which has been locked in a brutal struggle with the Sudanese military for nearly three years, ever since a power struggle erupted in April 2023 over RSF integration into the army following the ouster of Omar al-Bashir.

The war has killed tens of thousands, displaced over 14 million people, and triggered famine, disease outbreaks, and food shortages. Attacks have struck aid convoys and critical infrastructure, worsening civilian suffering. Foreign involvement has deepened the crisis, turning Sudan into a regional flashpoint. The UAE head Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ), has faced accusations of supplying weapons, drones, and financial support to the RSF, though it denies the claims, citing humanitarian aid. Saudi Arabia, under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), has positioned itself as a mediator, hosting negotiations and backing ceasefire proposals while maintaining ties with both the RSF and the army.

Despite diplomatic efforts and aid pledges, fighting continues , with both sides accused of targeting civilians and essential infrastructure. Key cities have endured drone bombardments and sieges, leaving tens of millions in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Aid interruptions - particularly strikes on major ports like Port Sudan , a crucial entry point for life-saving supplies - have further threatened survival for millions. International donors, including the UAE and the United States, have pledged hundreds of millions in aid, but the scale of the crisis remains staggering.

As the war enters its third year, Sudan remains deeply fractured. Persistent violence, entrenched foreign interests, and catastrophic humanitarian tolls underscore how difficult it has become to achieve peace and protect civilians amid competing national and regional agendas. Each attack, including the one near Rahad, is a stark reminder of the human toll of this devastating conflict.