UN: At least 306 killed in drone strikes across Sudan in October

What happened

The UN human rights office (OHCHR) reports an escalation in deadly drone strikes across Sudan during the first three weeks of October, resulting in at least 306 deaths and hundreds of injuries. The strikes are attributed to both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), hitting multiple vulnerable targets including homes, markets, hospitals, and displacement camps in conflict-affected states such as Kordofan, Darfur, Blue Nile, Khartoum and others.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. According to OHCHR, the drone strikes have increasingly targeted displacement sites where civilians had fled seeking safety. Between October 6 and 10, strikes attributed to the military government forces killed at least 25 civilians, including women and children, at shelters for displaced people in West Kordofan. On October 9, an alleged RSF drone strike on displaced people involved in artisanal gold mining near a camp in Blue Nile killed at least 31, mostly women and children.

Markets and hospitals have also suffered attacks. On October 11, an RSF-attributed drone strike rendered Um Darfa hospital in Blue Nile non-operational and seriously wounded two health workers. On October 18, a ‘double tap’ drone strike on a transportation truck in RSF-controlled West Kordofan led to at least 139 deaths. Additionally, a drone strike on Amiet Market and the Todach area in Abyei on October 19 killed more than 80 people, prompting condemnation by the UN Security Council, which called the attacks potential war crimes and demanded a transparent investigation.

Known from the source

• At least 306 people have been killed by drone strikes in Sudan in the first three weeks of October 2026 according to UN human rights office.
• Drone strikes hit homes, markets, hospitals, displacement sites, power stations, and water sources in multiple states including Kordofan, Darfur, Blue Nile, Khartoum and others.
• Strikes are attributed by the UN human rights office to both the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces.
• Between 6-10 October, strikes in West Kordofan killed at least 25 displaced civilians at shelters.
• On 9 October, a strike in Blue Nile killed at least 31 displaced people, mostly women and children.

What remains unclear

The strikes are compounding an already severe humanitarian crisis by killing civilians, destroying vital infrastructure, and forcing further displacement. UN officials are urging all parties to respect international humanitarian law and to commit to a ceasefire. They also highlight the critical need to address the ongoing influx and transfer of arms fueling the conflict.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Independent confirmation of the exact number of casualties in each reported strike. Verification of the attribution of drone strikes to SAF and RSF by additional sources. Updates on any official investigations or statements regarding the attacks.

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: UN News Africa Sudan. Open the source.