Sudan is on the brink of a catastrophic escalation, as drone strikes tear through its gold and oil-rich regions, marking a devastating new front in the country's relentless civil war. But here's where it gets even more alarming: despite international outcry, these attacks show no signs of stopping, leaving civilians trapped in a deadly crossfire. In recent weeks, the south-central Kordofan region has become the epicenter of this nearly three-year conflict, as both the Sudanese regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) battle for control. This shift has turned Kordofan into a blood-soaked battleground, with near-daily drone strikes targeting markets, hospitals, aid convoys, and residential areas, sparking global outrage.
And this is the part most people miss: while the Sudanese military has been blamed for many of these strikes, both sides stand accused of indiscriminate attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure. The UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, has condemned these actions, urging all parties to halt the violence and protect innocent lives. Yet, the war rages on, fueled by a power struggle that erupted in April 2023 between the leaders of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF. Kordofan, a strategic region linking the RSF-controlled Darfur to the army-held capital, Khartoum, has become the key to controlling Sudan's central corridor.
The RSF, in alliance with the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement-Army North (SPLM-N), has established a parallel government, deepening the country's division. Meanwhile, the SAF has recently made strategic gains, breaking a two-year siege on South Kordofan's main cities, Kadugli and Dilling, where famine conditions had taken hold. In response, the SAF has intensified its bombardments, targeting RSF positions and aerial weapons. Both sides are increasingly relying on drones—the RSF reportedly using Chinese CH-95 models supplied by the UAE (denied by the UAE), and the SAF deploying Turkish Baykar drones, including advanced Akinci combat models.
Here’s where it gets controversial: Turkey denies direct support to the SAF, yet Turkish media claim an Akinci drone destroyed a Chinese-made air defense system in Sudan. Meanwhile, Egypt’s growing involvement, alarmed by RSF advances in Darfur, has added another layer of complexity. Recent attacks in the Blue Nile State, a narrow strip bordering Ethiopia and South Sudan, threaten to regionalize the conflict. Both Ethiopia and South Sudan deny Sudanese accusations of allowing the RSF to launch attacks from their territories, while the UAE refutes claims of funding an RSF training camp in Ethiopia.
As the war expands, analysts warn that the RSF and its SPLM-N allies are attempting to open a new front in the Blue Nile region to alleviate pressure in Kordofan. RSF leader Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo recently praised these efforts, highlighting the region’s strategic proximity to army-held areas. Despite hopes for a truce by Ramadan, a drone strike on the holy month’s first day killed families, including young children, at a water collection point in West Kordofan. This grim reality raises a critical question: Can Sudan’s warring factions ever prioritize peace over power? Share your thoughts in the comments—this is a conversation we can’t afford to ignore.
