At least 41 people have been killed in a drone attack on a camp for displaced civilians in Sudan’s Blue Nile region, according to the rights group Emergency Lawyers.
The strike reportedly targeted the camp in the Abu Shandi area on Friday, near Sudan’s border with Ethiopia. The group attributed the attack to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary organisation fighting Sudan’s national army in an ongoing conflict.
The United Nations has expressed alarm over reports of the attack, with early information indicating that women and children account for most of those killed.
UN Raises Alarm Over Civilian Casualties
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it was “appalled by horrifying reports” of the incident.
According to the agency, initial reports suggested that most of the casualties were women and children, raising further concerns about the risks facing civilians caught up in the fighting.
OCHA also warned that the area had come under sustained attack in recent weeks. Those attacks have reportedly forced thousands of people to flee their homes, while leaving others exposed to further violence.
The latest reported strike adds to concerns about the safety of displaced families seeking refuge from Sudan’s conflict.
Sudan’s War Continues to Displace Millions
Sudan has been engulfed in a power struggle between the national army and the RSF since 2023. The fighting has caused widespread destruction, killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced more than 14 million from their homes.
The conflict has also created one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies, with millions of people requiring medical assistance and other essential support.
Repeated attacks and displacement have placed additional pressure on humanitarian organisations attempting to provide assistance to affected communities.
Army and RSF Maintain Control Over Different Regions
The Sudanese army retains control over much of the country’s central and eastern regions, while the RSF is headquartered in the western region of Darfur and also controls areas in the south.
The struggle for territory and political power has continued to expose civilians to attacks in different parts of the country.
Both the army and the RSF have faced accusations of carrying out drone strikes during the conflict, adding to concerns about the use of aerial attacks in populated areas.
Repeated Attacks Deepen Humanitarian Concerns
OCHA said the area reportedly struck on Friday had experienced sustained attacks in recent weeks, resulting in the displacement of thousands of civilians.
The agency warned that many more people remained at risk as violence continued in the region.
The reported deaths in Abu Shandi highlight the dangers facing displaced people who have already been forced to leave their homes because of the war.
With the conflict continuing and millions of people in need of assistance, the latest attack underscores the growing humanitarian challenges confronting Sudan and the urgent need to protect civilians.
