MSF Reports Surge in Drone Attacks Targeting Civilians Across Sudan

What happened

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), an international medical NGO, warns of a sharp escalation in drone attacks across Sudan, reporting that civilians are increasingly being targeted in strikes on markets, hospitals, roads, and other public spaces distant from active frontlines. Citing data from the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO), MSF notes nearly 350 drone attacks have occurred since early 2026, mainly affecting parts of Kordofan, Darfur, White Nile, and Blue Nile states, with other regions also hit.

The central claim remains unconfirmed in the supplied material and should be treated as hearsay until corroborated by another reliable source or a named official. MSF highlights the growing use of drones by warring parties as a significant factor worsening an already dire humanitarian situation. The attacks disrupt aid deliveries, restrict medical teams' movement, and spread fear among communities enduring more than three years of conflict. The escalation is corroborated by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, who told Radio Dabanga that drone strikes accounted for over 80% of civilian deaths linked to conflict from January to April 2026, with at least 880 civilian fatalities reported.

The NGO also references data indicating drone strikes increasingly target civilian infrastructure: 31 attacks on roads, 28 on commercial facilities, 11 on health centers, and hits on displacement camps and schools. Many strikes reportedly occur in broad daylight within densely populated areas, including incidents dangerously close to humanitarian workers—one recorded within 100 meters of aid staff. UNICEF’s Sudan representative Sheldon Yett has expressed grave concern over the exponential threat drone attacks pose to children, especially in Blue Nile and Khartoum.

Known from the source

• Nearly 350 drone attacks recorded in Sudan since early 2026 according to INSO data cited by MSF.
• Attacks mainly target Kordofan, Darfur, White Nile, and Blue Nile states.
• Drone strikes have hit markets, hospitals, roads, displacement camps, schools, and commercial facilities.
• UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk reports at least 880 civilian deaths from drone strikes between January and April 2026, over 80% of all civilian deaths from the conflict in that period.
• MSF reports some strikes occurring within 100 meters of humanitarian aid workers.

What remains unclear

Aid agencies continuously flag the conflict's role in pushing millions into severe food insecurity and displacing vast numbers, while healthcare services collapse or become inaccessible. MSF calls on all armed parties to end indiscriminate drone use and respect international humanitarian law protections for civilians, medical facilities, and aid workers. The organisation urges combatants to ensure safe and uninterrupted humanitarian access.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Independent verification of casualty figures related to drone strikes. Attribution of drone attacks to specific conflict parties. Corroboration of reported proximity of drone strikes to humanitarian workers.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: Radio Dabanga. Open the source.