New York, May 28 (Darfur24)
The United Nations on Tuesday expressed alarm over the continued escalation of drone attacks in Sudan’s Darfur region, warning of their growing impact on civilians amid the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
During the UN daily press briefing, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq said the organization was “deeply alarmed” by the continued drone strikes across Darfur and the increasing civilian casualties resulting from the attacks.
He noted that at least 12 people were reportedly killed in multiple drone strikes targeting two towns in North Darfur near the Sudan-Chad border.
According to the UN, local sources also reported several deaths in the border town of Al-Tina following another drone strike earlier this week that killed seven people and injured 11 others.
Haq added that additional civilian casualties were reported on Sunday after a drone attack targeted the town of Karnoi in North Darfur. The attack came just days after another strike on the same town reportedly killed five people and injured four others.
The United Nations renewed its call on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and to facilitate humanitarian access in accordance with international humanitarian law.
The organization also warned that humanitarian needs across Sudan continue to grow, stressing the urgent need for additional funding to provide life-saving assistance to millions of people affected by the war.
Meanwhile, the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, continues diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and enhancing civilian protection.
According to the UN, Haavisto recently visited several Gulf countries, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, where he held meetings with regional officials and other stakeholders.
The UN said Haavisto is also working with the “Quintet” group, which includes the African Union, IGAD, the League of Arab States, the European Union, and the United Nations, to support progress toward a future Sudanese-led political process.
The organization stated that the Quintet has conducted consultations with a broad range of Sudanese political and civil actors, including women, youth groups, and displaced communities, in preparation for an inter-Sudanese civilian dialogue expected to begin in the coming weeks.
Sudan has been engulfed in conflict since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the Sudanese army and the RSF, triggering one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.