RSF Drone Attack Kills 24 People Fleeing Fighting in Central Sudan, Says Doctors Group
Editor: Sudhir Choudhary
Date: February 8, 2026
KHARTOUM — At least 24 civilians were killed when a drone strike hit people fleeing intense fighting in central Sudan, according to a doctors’ organization monitoring casualties from the country’s ongoing war. The group said the attack was carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), one of the two main parties to Sudan’s nearly two-year conflict.
The strike reportedly targeted a group of civilians attempting to escape clashes between the RSF and the Sudanese army, underscoring the growing dangers faced by non-combatants as the conflict expands and increasingly involves aerial weapons.
Details of the Attack
The Sudanese Doctors’ Network, a pro-democracy medical group that documents violence against civilians, said the drone strike occurred in a rural area of central Sudan as families were fleeing active combat zones. The group reported that women and children were among those killed, and that several others were wounded.
Medical volunteers and local residents transported survivors to nearby clinics with limited resources. The doctors’ group said many facilities in the area lack adequate equipment, medicine, and trained staff after months of sustained fighting and displacement.
As of publication, the RSF had not issued a public response to the allegation, and independent verification of the strike was not immediately possible due to restricted access and ongoing insecurity.
Expanding Use of Drones in the Conflict
Analysts and humanitarian organizations have warned that the use of drones by both sides in Sudan’s war has increased in recent months, raising the risk to civilians. Drones, often difficult to detect and intercept, have been used to strike troop positions and supply routes, but rights groups say civilian areas have increasingly been affected.
The Sudanese Doctors’ Network said the latest incident reflects a broader pattern of attacks on people attempting to flee violence, which may constitute violations of international humanitarian law if civilians were deliberately targeted.
Humanitarian Situation Worsens
Sudan’s conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces, has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions. Central regions of the country have seen renewed fighting in recent weeks, forcing additional waves of civilians to flee with little warning.
Aid agencies say displaced families often travel on foot or in overcrowded vehicles, making them highly vulnerable to attacks, disease, and hunger. Access for humanitarian workers remains severely limited due to insecurity and bureaucratic obstacles.
Calls for Accountability
Medical groups and rights organizations renewed calls for independent investigations into attacks on civilians and for all parties to the conflict to respect international law. They also urged the international community to increase pressure on warring factions to protect civilians and allow safe humanitarian access.
The Sudanese Doctors’ Network said it will continue documenting casualties despite the risks, warning that the true death toll may be higher as information from remote areas remains difficult to obtain.
Ongoing Conflict
Fighting between the RSF and the army shows no sign of abating, despite repeated international efforts to broker ceasefires. Civilians remain trapped between shifting front lines, with drone strikes and artillery fire adding to the dangers of displacement.
The situation in central Sudan remains volatile, and humanitarian groups fear further civilian casualties if the conflict continues to escalate.
Sources
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Sudanese Doctors’ Network — casualty reports and field statements
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Reuters — reporting on Sudan conflict and civilian impact
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United Nations humanitarian briefings on Sudan
Tags: Sudan conflict, RSF, drone attack, civilians, humanitarian crisis
News by The Vagabond News
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