Drone strike kills at least 21 in Sudan's Nyala

Why This Matters

• The attack underscores the escalating use of drones in Sudan's civil war, which has caused a civilian crisis as both sides target populated areas.
• Nyala, a major city in Darfur, has become a focal point of the conflict between the Sudanese military and the RSF, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence.
• The incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian emergency in Sudan, where millions face famine and displacement, and international calls for aid access have intensified.

Background

Sudan has been engulfed in a civil war since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF has seized control of Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, where it has established an alternative administration. The conflict has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, with both sides accused of war crimes. Drone strikes have become a hallmark of the war, often hitting markets, hospitals, and residential areas, worsening the humanitarian crisis.

What to Watch

• Whether the Sudanese military acknowledges or claims responsibility for the strike, and whether the RSF retaliates with further attacks on civilian areas.
• International reaction, including possible condemnation or new sanctions, as the US, EU, and other countries have already warned of famine risk and called for aid access.
• The impact on humanitarian operations in Nyala and Darfur, where access for aid agencies is already severely restricted by the conflict.