UN reports drones cause 80% of civilian deaths in Sudan in early 2026

The United Nations has reported that drone attacks have become the leading cause of death in Sudan, responsible for 80 % of civilian casualties during the first four months of 2026. This alarming trend comes amid an ongoing civil war that erupted in April 2023 between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese military. According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) monitoring group, the conflict has already claimed at least 59 000 lives, a figure that aid organizations argue is an undercount, suggesting the true death toll could be much higher.

The UN’s findings highlight a shift in the nature of the violence, with unmanned aerial vehicles increasingly used to target civilian areas. The drone‑driven attacks have compounded the humanitarian crisis, exacerbating displacement, disrupting aid delivery, and intensifying the suffering of already vulnerable populations. The war’s prolonged duration and the involvement of multiple armed factions have created a complex security environment, making it difficult for international observers to verify casualty figures and assess the full impact on civilians.

As the conflict drags on, the international community faces mounting pressure to address the escalating use of drones in combat operations. The UN’s report underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of international humanitarian law and calls for renewed diplomatic efforts to bring the warring parties to the negotiating table, in order to reduce civilian casualties and restore stability to the region.