Sudan Army Drone Strike On Darfur Court Kills 35, Rights Group Seeks Probe

At least 35 people were killed in a Sudanese army drone strike on a civil court in Sudan’s North Darfur region, a rights group said, as the country’s brutal war between the military and paramilitary forces continues to intensify.

The attack took place on Sunday afternoon at the court headquarters in Al Zawiya Gara village, a settlement in North Darfur. The facility, described by Emergency Lawyers as a civilian court serving judicial and social functions, was reportedly struck by drones operated by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

Emergency Lawyers condemned the strike, saying attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure represent a serious violation of international humanitarian law. The group called for an independent investigation and accountability for those responsible. The Sudanese army has not publicly commented on the allegations.

The targeted area is reportedly under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been fighting the army since April 2023. The conflict began after a power struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah al Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, triggering one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

The war has killed at least 59,000 people, according to conflict monitoring estimates, though aid agencies say the actual toll could be far higher. Millions have been displaced, while Darfur continues to face severe insecurity, food shortages and repeated attacks on civilian areas.

Drone strikes have become a defining feature of Sudan’s conflict, with both sides using unmanned aircraft against military and civilian targets. The United Nations has warned that drone attacks accounted for more than 80 per cent of civilian deaths recorded between January and April 2026, making them the leading cause of civilian fatalities in the conflict.

The latest strike has renewed international concerns over civilian protection and possible violations of war laws as Sudan’s conflict enters another devastating phase.