Drone attack on Sudan displacement camp leaves at least 11 dead, suspected involvement of RSF forces.
A suspected drone attack attributed to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 11 individuals at a displacement camp located within River Nile state. The incident, which transpired on Friday, further disrupted a nearby power station, marking the fourth such occurrence since the onset of the conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese army two years ago.
Local officials conveyed that the drone attack represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, leaving an additional 23 people injured, among whom were at least nine children. Witness accounts detailed the distressing personal losses endured by families in the camp. One local resident recounted how multiple family members, including a 10-year-old boy and a two-year-old girl, fell victim to the assault, bringing the dire humanitarian situation to the forefront.
In recent months, the RSF has faced accusations regarding its targeted strikes on power infrastructure, particularly in regions controlled by the Sudanese army across central and northern Sudan. The RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo—commonly known as Hemedti—has denied responsibility for the drone attacks and the associated devastation.
The targeted camp was situated approximately 3 kilometers (2 miles) from the Atbara power station, and it was home to around 180 families who had fled the ongoing violence in the capital, Khartoum. These families were living under precarious conditions, largely devoid of adequate humanitarian assistance in abandoned buildings and tents. Survivors of the attack recounted alarming details of the assault, noting the chilling scene of destruction and loss that followed.
In the aftermath of the attack, authorities responded swiftly, attempting to extinguish the smoldering remnants of tents and belongings as residents were evacuated to unspecified locations. The escalation coincided with a broader collapse of Sudan’s power grid, which has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis as widespread drone and missile attacks have plunged millions into prolonged blackouts.
The conflict erupted in April 2023 when tensions between the Sudanese army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF escalated into open warfare. While al-Burhan has celebrated recent military gains in urban centers like Khartoum, current combat appears to be focused in the Darfur region, where RSF is actively working to dismantle remaining military positions, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.
This ongoing conflict has led to one of the most significant displacement crises globally. The United Nations reports that over 12.4 million people have been uprooted from their homes, with 3.3 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive humanitarian assistance and international support for those affected.
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