Drones are making Sudan's war even deadlier for civilians

Drone warfare has dramatically intensified the conflict in Sudan, becoming the deadliest threat to civilians amid the ongoing war between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Experts report that armed drones are responsible for over 80% of conflict-related deaths, with at least 880 civilians killed by drone strikes between January and April alone. The war, which began in April 2023, has already claimed at least 59,000 lives and displaced approximately 13 million people, pushing parts of the country into famine. Both the military and RSF have received advanced drone technology from multiple countries in the Middle East and beyond, enabling them to carry out increasingly frequent and lethal attacks on densely populated areas. Recent drone strikes targeted Khartoum International Airport and surrounding regions near the capital, which the army regained control of last year. Analysts highlight that drones serve as a force multiplier on the battlefield, facilitating ground offensives, disrupting enemy mobilization, and spreading insecurity in contested territories. The escalation in drone use has led to a sharp rise in casualties and attacks. In 2025, drone-related deaths surged by 600%, with an 81% increase in drone attacks compared to the previous year. Civilians have been killed in strikes on markets, schools, displacement camps, and infrastructure such as dams, with the Kordofan region suffering the highest toll. Human rights groups report multiple recent attacks killing dozens of civilians, including incidents where drones equipped with visual monitoring technology appeared to target vehicles deliberately, raising concerns over potential war crimes. The rapid militarization of drone capabilities by the RSF, which only began widespread drone use last year, underscores the growing complexity and lethality of the conflict. The proliferation of foreign-supplied drones complicates peace efforts and raises fears that Sudan’s war could escalate into a broader proxy conflict involving regional powers. United Nations officials have called for urgent measures to prevent further drone transfers to Sudan in an effort to reduce civilian casualties and stabilize the situation.