Date: May 3, 2026 l Reported by: Andrew Baba
A drone strike in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, has killed at least five civilians, according to a local non-governmental organization, in what marks a renewed escalation of violence in the war-torn country.
The attack was reportedly carried out by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with the strike hitting a civilian area and resulting in multiple casualties. The incident is said to be the second such attack in the city within a week, following a period of relative calm after government forces had regained control of key areas.
Witnesses described scenes of destruction, with smoke rising from the targeted location as emergency responders and residents attempted to assist victims. The NGO monitoring the situation confirmed the civilian death toll, though the full extent of injuries and damage remains unclear.
The strike highlights the growing use of drone warfare in Sudan’s ongoing conflict, which has increasingly affected urban centers and civilian populations. Both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF have been accused by international observers of deploying drones in attacks that have caused significant civilian harm.
Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal conflict since April 2023, pitting the national army against the RSF in a power struggle that has devastated infrastructure and displaced millions of people. Analysts say the increasing reliance on drones has intensified the conflict, making it more unpredictable and deadly for civilians.
Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly called for restraint and the protection of civilians, warning that continued attacks on populated areas risk worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis.
The latest incident underscores the fragile security situation in Khartoum and raises concerns that violence in the capital could escalate further despite intermittent periods of reduced fighting.