Drone Strike on Sudan Funeral Kills at Least 40 Amid Escalating Conflict

At least 40 people were killed when a drone struck a funeral in El-Obeid, North Kordofan, Sudan. Authorities blamed the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, though the group has not commented. The attack occurs amid escalating conflict in Kordofan and Darfur, where the war since April 2023 has killed over 150,000 people and displaced 12 million, prompting UN calls for a ceasefire.

At least 40 people have been reported killed after a drone struck a funeral gathering near El-Obeid in Sudan’s North Kordofan state, according to local officials. The attack occurred in Al-Luweib village, where mourners had gathered to pay their respects, and authorities have attributed responsibility to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF has not yet issued any public statement regarding the incident, and details surrounding the strike remain limited.

The deadly attack comes amid escalating violence across Kordofan and Darfur, regions that have already been heavily affected by the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The United Nations has documented mass killings, widespread famine, and potential war crimes in these areas, warning that the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate rapidly. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave concern over the situation, stating that the crisis is “spiralling out of control” and urging both sides of the conflict to agree to a ceasefire to prevent further loss of life and suffering.

The war in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has had devastating consequences for the population. According to UN estimates, over 150,000 people have been killed since the start of the conflict, and nearly 12 million have been displaced from their homes, creating one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the region. Civilians have borne the brunt of the fighting, facing not only direct attacks like the drone strike in El-Obeid but also extreme shortages of food, water, and medical care.

International observers have repeatedly called for urgent intervention and dialogue to halt the violence and provide humanitarian assistance to affected communities. The recent attack on a funeral gathering underscores the increasing danger faced by ordinary citizens, as even moments of mourning and community gathering are not immune from the conflict’s reach. With fighting continuing across multiple fronts, the humanitarian situation in Sudan remains critical, and the need for a negotiated ceasefire and comprehensive peace efforts has never been more urgent.