Rapid Support Forces (RSF) drone strikes killed and injured civilians in the Berber area south of El Obeid on June 10 and 11, 2024 [1], [2], [3].
The attacks highlight the increasing use of unmanned aerial technology in the Sudanese conflict and the resulting vulnerability of civilian populations in North Kordofan.
Health officials said the RSF launched the drone strikes during the night between Wednesday and Thursday in central Sudan [2]. The North Kordofan state government said 15 people died and others were injured in the attack on the Berber region [1].
Other reports suggest a higher casualty count. The Emergency Lawyers gathering in Sudan said at least 23 people died in the drone attacks targeting El Obeid [3]. Some reports from the same source listed the death toll as 42 people [3].
These strikes are part of a broader escalation of violence between the RSF and the Sudanese government. The region has seen a steady deterioration of humanitarian conditions as the conflict persists, leaving civilians caught in the crossfire of aerial and ground operations.
Local officials in North Kordofan have continued to warn about the lack of protection for residents in the Berber area. The use of drones allows the RSF to strike targets from a distance, often with limited precision in densely populated or residential areas [1], [2].
“RSF drone strikes killed and injured civilians in the Berber area south of El Obeid”
The discrepancy in casualty figures, ranging from 15 to 42 deaths, reflects the difficulty of verifying data in active conflict zones. The shift toward drone warfare by the RSF indicates a tactical evolution that increases the risk to non-combatants and complicates humanitarian efforts in North Kordofan.
