Drone strikes killed eight civilians and wounded dozens in Sudan's North Kordofan region on Thursday, according to a local rights group. The independent organization, Emergency Lawyers, stated that a drone initially targeted a group of civilians traveling in the desert town of Sowdari. A subsequent strike occurred as others were attempting to assist the victims.
Emergency Lawyers described the incident as a violation of international humanitarian law and a potential war crime, citing the targeting of civilians and then rescuers. The group has called for an independent investigation to identify those responsible.
Sudan has been engulfed in conflict since April 2023, when fighting broke out between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese military. This ongoing war has resulted in at least 59,000 documented deaths, though aid organizations suggest the actual toll may be significantly higher. Drone warfare has become a prominent feature of the conflict, with both sides employing such weapons. The United Nations has identified drone strikes as the leading cause of civilian fatalities in Sudan, accounting for 80% of such deaths in the first four months of 2026.