On Tuesday, a drone strike in southeastern Sudan’s Blue Nile State killed nine internally displaced people who were moving from the village of Bani Shako in Kurmuk locality toward Damazin, the capital of the province. The attack struck a group of civilians traveling for safety, leaving several others injured.
Kurmuk Commissioner Abdel Ati Mohamed al‑Faki told Xinhua by phone that the drones were operated by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The report also noted that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) were intensifying air operations against RSF positions and its ally the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement‑North in several areas of the region.
Sudan Tribune’s coverage on the same day echoed the attribution, calling the incident an RSF drone attack that killed nine civilians in Kurmuk County. The outlet reported that the RSF and SPLM‑N forces were advancing near Ed Damazin, further escalating the regional conflict.
The ongoing war between the SAF and RSF has raged since mid‑April 2023, leaving tens of thousands dead and millions displaced across Sudan. Air strikes on civilian areas have become a growing concern, with deadly drone missions targeting villages and gathering places in Kurmuk over recent months.
In addition to the nine fatalities, the attack has pushed more civilians to flee deeper into the province, heightening the humanitarian toll. Local officials warn that the rise in aerial attacks on residential communities is exacerbating fear among the displaced population.
This incident underscores the mounting dangers faced by civilians caught between the SAF and RSF. As aerial hostilities continue to intensify, the toll on the region’s displaced and vulnerable populations is expected to rise, prompting calls for increased protection and humanitarian assistance.
