Nearly 700 civilians have been killed by drone strikes in Sudan since the beginning of 2026, the United Nations reported on Tuesday. The surge in aerial attacks comes as the nation approaches the third anniversary of the brutal conflict between the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said the world has "failed to meet the test of Sudan" during a statement issued ahead of Wednesday's milestone. He warned that the nation is currently facing the "world’s largest humanitarian crisis."
Drone warfare has become a defining feature of the fighting, particularly in the southern Kordofan region and areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). UNICEF reported that drones are responsible for nearly 80 percent of the 245 children killed or injured during the first three months of the year.
"Drones are killing and wounding girls and boys in their homes, in markets, on the roads, near schools and health facilities," a UNICEF spokeswoman said.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) also recorded two recent deaths following Sudanese army drone strikes in the Darfur region. The medical charity reported treating 56 people wounded in the same attack.
Middle East conflict disrupts aid delivery
Beyond the immediate violence, the war in the Middle East is obstructing efforts to provide life-saving assistance. Ross Smith, the World Food Programme’s head of emergency preparedness and response, warned that the conflict involving Iran is "being dangerously compounded" by the regional instability.
Disruptions in the Middle East have shuttered key pathways like the Strait of Hormuz and impacted strategic aid hubs in Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi. These delays force aid groups to use more expensive and slower routes to reach the millions in need.
Rising costs for food, fuel, and fertilizer are also contributing to the catastrophe. Smith warned that these price hikes will have a "knock-on effect" that pushes even more people into hunger.
Currently, 34 million people in Sudan require humanitarian support. According to the WFP, more than 19 million people face acute hunger, with famine already present in parts of Darfur and Kordofan.
