UN Warns of 'Sharp Increase' in Sudan Drone Warfare as Civilian Deaths Surge in Kordofan - Serwe News
The UN Human Rights Office reported on Tuesday that over 500 civilians have been killed by drone strikes in Sudan since January 2026, with the majority of casualties occurring in the Kordofan region as the conflict enters a deadly new phase.
In a briefing from Geneva on March 24, 2026, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed deep alarm over the escalating use of high-tech drones in populated areas of Sudan. Between January 1 and mid-March 2026, at least 500 civilians were documented killed, primarily across three states in the Kordofan region, which has become a primary epicenter of hostilities between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The UN noted that near-daily strikes on markets, residential neighborhoods, and water infrastructure likely constitute war crimes. This surge in drone warfare reflects a shift in tactics as both sides seek to break stalemates on traditional frontlines, resulting in devastating impacts on civilians in North and West Kordofan.