Sudan is experiencing an escalation of drone attacks, striking schools and settlements that house the displaced population.
New Escalation: Drone Attacks In Sudan
The smell of destruction lingers as we arrive at the displacement camp in Atbara. A few days prior, this makeshift haven for families fleeing war in Sudan's capital Khartoum was struck by two drone attacks, leaving a trail of chaos and tragedy.
The first bomb claimed the lives of children and destroyed what little shelter they had. The second hit a nearby school, transforming classrooms into battlefields. Plaster and cement were blasted off the walls, furniture strewn, and blood marking the entrance to a shattered home. Inside, the evidence of the explosion remained, with shattered glass and broken window frames speaking of the force that struck. Four members of the family were instantly killed.
Nearby neighbours, Mahialdeen, sharing his grief, said, "People were torn apart. This is inhumane." He added, his voice filled with sorrow, "We left Khartoum because of the fighting and found it here."
The devastation didn't stop there. The city's power station, providing electricity, was also hit, as well as an empty field with four bombs dropped in the dark hours of the morning. The result: 12 lives lost, including at least two innocent children.
Drone Attacks on the Rise in Sudan
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been increasing their use of drone attacks across the country. Data from the conflict-monitoring organization ACLED shows that the most targeted states have been Khartoum and North Darfur, where fighting on the ground has been fierce, as well as Atbara's River Nile State. The surge in drone strikes seems to be a response to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF)'s recapture of Khartoum towards the end of March.
Satellite imagery shows that the RSF's airpower has allowed them to continue attacking targets both in and around Khartoum. For example, nearby Wadi Seidna Airbase was targeted following the attack on Atbara, showing clear signs of damage.
Uncovering the Truth Behind the Drones
Upon closer inspection, the remains of the latest suicide drones launched at Khartoum revealed no discernible signs of commercial origin. Drone experts have suggested that they are self-built devices made from generic parts with no identifiable manufacturers for the components.
While it is unclear where the drones in Sudan originated, images from Planet Labs show six drones at the RSF-held Nyala Airport in South Darfur. The location and number of drones visible in the imagery suggest they are in active use. Investigations have found the drones consistent with Chinese models, with a report from the Yale School of Public Health's Humanitarian Lab confirming this.
In recent years, Sudan has seen a dramatic increase in drone attacks. These attacks, often targeting civilian infrastructure, have added to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country. As the conflict continues, it is crucial to uncover the truth behind these attacks and hold those responsible accountable.
- The tragic aftermath of the drone attacks in Atbara's displacement camp serves as a grim reminder of the escalating conflict in Sudan.
- The rising death toll from these drone attacks, such as the 12 lives lost in Atbara, is a concerning development in Sudan's war-and-conflicts landscape.
- The drone attacks, like the one on the city's power station, are adversely affecting general-news areas like infrastructure and services, exacerbating the hardships of civilians.
- The rise in drone attacks, particularly in states like Khartoum and North Darfur, indicates a disturbing increase in crime-and-justice incidents, adding fuel to the ongoing conflict.
- The use of drones in these attacks, whether homegrown or of undetermined origins, highlights the intrusion of politics and war into everyday life, even in incidents as mundane as car-accidents.
