UN reports 880 civilian deaths from drone strikes in Sudan in first quarter of 2026

May 12, 2026

UN human rights chief Volker Türk reports that approximately 880 civilians were killed by drone strikes in Sudan during the first three months of 2026, accounting for over 80 percent of all conflict-related civilian deaths. The strikes, carried out by both Sudan's army and the Rapid Support Forces in their war ongoing since April 2023, have concentrated in Kordofan and Darfur but are spreading to Blue Nile, White Nile, and Khartoum. Drones have repeatedly targeted civilian infrastructure including at least 28 market attacks and 12 health facility strikes, while allowing combat to continue through the rainy season when fighting previously paused. The escalating drone warfare compounds Sudan's humanitarian catastrophe, which has already killed tens of thousands, displaced over 11 million people, and created famine conditions across multiple regions.

Civilian drone strike deaths

▪Volker Türk is the UN rights chief.
▪Armed drones have become the leading cause of civilian deaths in Sudan.
▪At least 880 civilians were killed in drone strikes in Sudan between January and April 2026.
▪Drone strikes accounted for more than 80 percent of all conflict-related civilian deaths in Sudan between January and April 2026.
▪Drones struck Al Quoz in South Kordofan and near El Obeid in North Kordofan on May 8, 2026, reportedly killing 26 civilians and injuring others.

Drone warfare escalation

▪Sudan's army and the Rapid Support Forces have been at war since April 2023.
▪Drone strikes carried out by Sudan's army and the Rapid Support Forces have intensified across Sudan in recent months.
▪Growing use of drones in Sudan allows fighting to continue unabated during the rainy season, which previously saw a lull in hostilities.
▪The United Nations published a report on May 11, 2026 warning that drone strikes in Sudan are pushing the conflict towards a new, even deadlier phase.

Geographic spread of attacks

▪Most civilian deaths attributed to drone strikes in the first three months of 2026 in Sudan were recorded in the Kordofan region and Darfur.
▪Drone strikes in Sudan are increasingly spreading beyond Kordofan and Darfur to Blue Nile, White Nile and Khartoum.
▪An intensification of hostilities in Sudan risks hostilities expanding further to central and eastern states.

Civilian infrastructure targeting

▪Health facilities in Sudan have been hit by drone strikes at least 12 times.
▪Markets in Sudan have been repeatedly targeted by drone strikes, with at least 28 such attacks resulting in civilian casualties between January and April 2026.
▪Belligerents in Sudan have used drones to repeatedly strike civilian objects and infrastructure, diminishing access to sufficient food, clean water and health care.

Humanitarian crisis impact

▪The food insecurity situation in Sudan is being exacerbated by fertiliser shortages linked to the Middle East war.
▪Much of Sudan, including Kordofan, is facing an increased risk of famine and acute food insecurity.
▪The conflict in Sudan has killed tens of thousands, displaced over 11 million people, and thrust several areas into famine.