The United Nations has documented a horrifying toll from the skies over Sudan: nearly 700 civilians killed in drone strikes in the first three months of 2026 alone, as the country’s brutal civil war escalates into a new and deadlier phase.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher revealed the figures during a press briefing on April 14, 2026, describing near-daily drone attacks that have devastated civilian areas across multiple regions. The strikes represent a dramatic escalation in the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, which entered its fourth year in April 2026.
Fletcher said: The horror we are witnessing in Sudan defies comprehension. In just three months, nearly 700 civilians have been killed by drone strikes—men, women, and children struck down while going about their daily lives.
The drone warfare in Sudan has evolved beyond traditional battlefields. Witnesses and aid workers report strikes targeting markets, residential areas, and displacement camps. In one incident on April 13 in the East Darfur town of Ed Daein, a drone attack reportedly killed multiple civilians at a water collection point.
The escalation comes as peace efforts remain stalled. Despite the signing of framework agreements in late 2025, neither side has consistently observed ceasefire protocols. International mediation attempts—from Qatar, the United States, and regional African bodies—have struggled to produce meaningful pauses in the fighting.
Compounding the crisis, the broader Middle East conflict has complicated humanitarian access. With global attention diverted and shipping routes disrupted, aid organizations face severe shortages of supplies and funding. The UN has warned that famine conditions are imminent in several regions, particularly in Darfur, South Kordofan, and the greater Khartoum area.
Sudan’s civil war began in April 2023 when rivalry between the military and the RSF exploded into open conflict. Since then, according to UN estimates, more than 50,000 people have been killed, and over 8 million have been displaced—the largest displacement crisis in the world today.
Women’s groups in Sudan have reported systematic sexual violence used as a weapon of war, while the targeting of healthcare facilities and aid workers has severely constrained the humanitarian response. The UN has called for an immediate investigation into alleged war crimes and for the Security Council to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court.
Despite the grim statistics, some analysts hold out cautious hope. African-led mediation efforts continue, and there are reports of localised ceasefires in some areas. But without stronger international pressure on both sides to respect international humanitarian law, the death toll is expected to keep climbing.