Over 1,000 civilians have been killed in Sudan as a result of drone strikes in the first five months of 2026, according to the United Nations’ top human rights official.
Drones are making the conflict in Sudan, which has been ongoing for four years, more deadly for the civilian population. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Fолькер Тюрк, has documented a sharp increase in drone attacks, as well as cases of rape and sexual violence.
Increased use of drones
Fолькер Тюрк stated to the Human Rights Council in Geneva that “the horrific conflict in Sudan has expanded and intensified, marked by a sharp increase in the use of drones”. His office has recorded the deaths of over 1,000 civilians from drone strikes between January and May 2026.
Total number of conflict victims
The war in the northeastern African country broke out on April 15, 2023, due to a power struggle between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The fighting has spread to the capital, Khartoum, and other regions of Sudan.
According to the American conflict monitoring group ACLED (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project), at least 59,000 people have been killed in the three years of war. The actual number of deaths is likely higher due to reporting difficulties, ACLED said.
Source: AP