Drone War Escalates in Sudan as Deadly Strikes Hit El Obeid
Drone strikes on the Sudanese city of El Obeid have highlighted a dangerous escalation in the civil war, with the growing use of loitering munitions, commonly referred to as “suicide drones,” in densely populated areas. According to medical and humanitarian sources, including the Sudan Doctors Network, multiple strikes targeted residential neighborhoods in El Obeid, the […] ظهرت المقالة Drone War Escalates in Sudan as Deadly Strikes Hit El Obeid أولاً على African Percentions.
Black News 
Drone strikes on the Sudanese city of El Obeid have highlighted a dangerous escalation in the civil war, with the growing use of loitering munitions, commonly referred to as “suicide drones,” in densely populated areas.
According to medical and humanitarian sources, including the Sudan Doctors Network, multiple strikes targeted residential neighborhoods in El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, on Saturday, April 25, killing at least seven people and injuring 22 others, most of them civilians inside their homes.
Health workers say the type of weapons used indicates a shift in tactics. The Sudan Doctors Network said the attacks involved loitering munitions and accused the Rapid Support Forces of deliberately targeting civilian areas to maximize casualties rather than focusing on military infrastructure. The RSF has not publicly responded to the allegations.
Hospitals in El Obeid, already weakened by prolonged siege conditions, are struggling to cope with the influx of casualties. Medical staff report severe shortages of surgical supplies and blood units, prompting urgent appeals for international medical assistance.
El Obeid has maintained strategic importance throughout the conflict, serving as a key operational base for the Sudanese Armed Forces in campaigns across Kordofan and Darfur. Despite being largely encircled by RSF forces since mid-2023, the city remains under army control.
Military analysts say the escalation in drone strikes reflects a broader shift in warfare. With ground offensives stalled, both sides have increasingly relied on drones to strike deep into contested areas. In El Obeid, this has translated into sustained pressure on both military positions and civilian populations.
The strikes come days after the Sudanese army launched operations in nearby areas such as Kazgeil and Shwaya on April 18. Observers suggest the drone attacks may be a response to those advances.
The Kordofan region has become a central battleground as the war enters its third year, with multiple armed actors involved, including the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, which controls parts of South Kordofan, further complicating security dynamics and restricting humanitarian access.
The convergence of armed groups has severely limited aid corridors as the humanitarian crisis deepens. International monitors have confirmed famine conditions in parts of South Kordofan and North Darfur, warning that North Kordofan may face similar risks.
An estimated 13 million people have been displaced, making Sudan the site of the world’s largest displacement crisis, while around 75 percent of health facilities in conflict-affected areas are no longer functional, leaving millions without basic care.
The Sudan Doctors Network has called for an international investigation into the El Obeid strikes and accountability for those responsible, describing the attacks as a “full-fledged war crime,” and stressing that targeting civilians in residential areas constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law.
As drone warfare becomes more prominent, aid agencies warn that the line between battlefield and civilian space is rapidly eroding, increasing the risk of mass casualties and deepening Sudan’s humanitarian crisis.
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