U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk on Monday warned of a widening conflict in Sudan driven by increased use of armed drones, saying the technology is now the leading cause of civilian deaths and risks pushing the war into a “new, even deadlier phase.”
Türk, speaking in Geneva, said the U.N. human rights office had recorded at least 880 civilian deaths from drone strikes between January and April, accounting for more than 80% of conflict-related civilian fatalities in that period.
“Armed drones have now become by far the leading cause of civilian deaths,” he said, adding that intensified strikes were likely to continue into the rainy season, traditionally a period of reduced ground fighting.
He warned that an escalation in coming weeks could expand hostilities into central and eastern Sudan, with “lethal consequences for civilians across enormous areas,” and urged the international community to act urgently to prevent further deterioration.
Türk called for tighter controls on arms transfers, including advanced drones, to parties in the conflict, saying continued impunity was normalising attacks on civilians.
Drone strikes by the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces have increasingly hit civilian infrastructure, including markets, health facilities, fuel depots and supply routes, worsening humanitarian conditions.
Most drone-related civilian deaths in the first quarter were recorded in the Kordofan region. On May 8, strikes in South and North Kordofan reportedly killed 26 civilians, according to local reports cited by the U.N. rights office.
The use of drones has also spread beyond Darfur and Kordofan to Blue Nile, White Nile and the capital Khartoum, where recent strikes disrupted operations at Khartoum International Airport and other parts of the city.
Türk said renewed fighting around Kordofan risked further displacement, particularly from El Obeid and Dilling, which have been under siege-like conditions.
He also warned of worsening humanitarian conditions, including rising food insecurity and strain on health services, with many facilities damaged or non-operational.
“I call once again on all parties to ensure the protection of civilians,” Türk said, urging safe passage for displaced people and protection from reprisals, including summary executions, sexual violence, arbitrary detention and abductions.
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