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Drone attacks and civilian casualties reported across Sudan and Abyei

Drone strikes across Sudan and the disputed Abyei area killed civilians, damaged power infrastructure and displaced people; OHCHR documented at least 306 deaths from drone strikes in the first three weeks of October, attributing strikes to both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF. At Amiet Market in Abyei, an official reported 153 deaths, while Nyala’s market strike drew sharply different casualty estimates, including 36 deaths reported by MSF and 188 by the Tasees government health ministry. Officials and groups gave competing accounts of responsibility and of who was killed, while South Sudan, the UN, the African Union and participants in Geneva peace efforts called for civilian protection and steps toward a ceasefire.

Summary written by our automated pipeline from the outlets' reporting. How it works

16 outlets in 11 countries, 7 relaying others' reporting · earliest dated report in our sources by Okaz (Saudi Arabia),

People at a displacement site in Tawila, North Darfur, Sudan, on 19 October 2025. The site was gathering newly displaced people from El Fasher.
Photo credits

In their own words

Grouped by where each speaker is from. Quotation marks are the speaker's own words; other lines are our summaries.

Sudan

A senior Sudanese military officer

The army does not target civilians.

Our summary of NDTV, via Associated Press · long-held position

Sudan's military

Sudan's army has for years denied claims of documented famine.

Our summary of The Hindu, via AFP · long-held position

More from Sudan (2)

Regional and local government

Abyei interim information minister

The drone attack was carried out on a market in Abyei the previous day.

Our summary of Daily Jang

Abyei district authorities
“The casualties comprise vulnerable civilian populations, including women, children, the elderly, local merchants, members of the host Ngok Dinka community, South Sudanese…”

Quoted in The Hindu, via AFP

SS

southsudansforeignministry|SS, South Sudan's Foreign Ministry
“…refrain from any actions that endanger civilian lives and property”

Quoted in France 24, via Associated Press

southsudansforeignministry|SS, South Sudan's Foreign Ministry

South Sudan's foreign ministry strongly protested the attack.

Our summary of Daily Jang

More from SS (3)
Juba's Foreign Ministry, South Sudanese Foreign Ministry

Juba's Foreign Ministry condemns the attack in the strongest terms possible.

Our summary of The Hindu, via AFP · also 1 other outlet

Regional and local government

Officials in Abyei and South Sudan

Officials in Abyei and South Sudan dispute that the RSF is operating out of Abyei.

Our summary of Deutsche Welle

Yohanna Akol Ngor, Abyei administration official

Akol called the situation horrible and shocking.

Our summary of France 24, via Associated Press

Tasees government

The health ministry said the death toll from the strike was 188, with 356 injured.

Our summary of Radio Dabanga

The health ministry said 188 people had been killed and 356 injured in an attack on Tangong market in Nyala.

Our summary of Radio Dabanga

Where accounts differ

Points where outlets or parties give conflicting facts or readings. Each side is summarised by our pipeline; its sources are listed under it.

Accounts conflict Who was killed in the Amiet Market strike

Abyei authorities described vulnerable civilian victims, including women, children, traders and refugees.

Sources (1)
“The casualties comprise vulnerable civilian populations, including women, children, the elderly, local merchants, members of the host Ngok Dinka community, South Sudanese…”
Abyei district authorities · quoted in The Hindu, via AFP

An unnamed senior Sudanese military official claimed those killed were RSF members or people linked to fuel smuggling.

Sources (1)

Unnamed senior Sudanese military official · our summary of Hürriyet

Accounts conflict Whether the RSF operates in Abyei

Sudan's military alleges the RSF operates in Abyei.

Sources (1)

Sudanese Armed Forces, Sudanese army · our summary of Deutsche Welle

Officials in Abyei and South Sudan dispute that claim.

Sources (1)

Officials in Abyei and South Sudan · our summary of Deutsche Welle

Accounts conflict Reported casualty estimates for the Nyala market strike

Early medical and witness accounts reported 21 deaths and 40 or more injuries.

Sources (2)

a representative of the local hospital · our summary of Der Spiegel, via Agence France-Presse

a representative of the local hospital · our summary of Der Spiegel, via Agence France-Presse

MSF reported at least 36 deaths and more than 150 injuries.

Sources (1)

Médecins Sans Frontières · our summary of Radio Dabanga

Other voices

Reactions from other countries and bodies, others involved, and commentary.

International bodies

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission

The Chairperson strongly condemns the recent deadly drone attacks in Sudan and the Abyei Area.

Our summary of African Union Commission

Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

Del Koninckx, Médecins Sans Frontières official
“Markets, homes, and essential civilian infrastructure are not targets, and all parties to the conflict must protect civilians”

Quoted in Radio Dabanga

Others involved

local authorities

The attack killed five people and wounded 27.

Our summary of Le Monde

a local official

The strike killed at least 153 people, a local official said.

Our summary of South China Morning Post, via Associated Press

Médecins Sans Frontières

Attacks on markets expose civilians to violence and threaten their access to food and essential supplies as malnutrition worsens.

Our summary of Radio Dabanga

Commentary

Kholood Khair, Sudanese political analyst
“There’s a tit-for-tat, quid pro quo approach which starts the season of escalation”

Quoted in The Hindu, via AFP

Kholood Khair, Sudanese political analyst
“Both still believe that they can win militarily”

Quoted in The Hindu, via AFP

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-19

    On 19 October, a drone strike hit Amiet Market in Abyei; district authorities said about 22 munitions were launched.

    Sources: The Hindu (via AFP)

    Supporting statements

    Abyei district authorities say the strike hit Amiet market on Monday.

    Abyei district authorities · our summary of The Hindu, via AFP

    Abyei district authorities accuse the Sudanese army of launching 22 munitions during the attack.

    Abyei district authorities · our summary of The Hindu, via AFP
  2. 2026-10-20

    On 20 October, Akol reported 153 deaths at Amiet Market and said the toll was rising as the fire burned.

    Sources: France 24 (via Associated Press)

    Supporting statements

    Akol said 153 deaths had been recorded.

    Yohanna Akol Ngor, Abyei administration official · our summary of France 24, via Associated Press

    Akol said the death toll kept rising while the fire burned.

    Yohanna Akol Ngor, Abyei administration official · our summary of France 24, via Associated Press
  3. 2026-10-20

    Reported 20 October: South Sudan's Foreign Ministry strongly protested the attack.

    Sources: Daily Jang

    Supporting statements

    South Sudan's foreign ministry strongly protested the attack.

    South Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs · our summary of Daily Jang
  4. 2026-10-20

    On 20 October, Dujarric condemned the reported killing of civilians in an Al-Dibab market strike.

    Sources: CGTN

    Supporting statements
    “We also strongly condemn the reported killing of dozens of civilians in a drone strike on a market in the locality of Al Dibab, West Kordofan State, on Sunday”
    Stephane Dujarric, UN Secretary-General's spokesperson · quoted in CGTN
  5. 2026-10-22

    Reported 22 October: the African Union Commission chairperson condemned recent deadly drone attacks in Sudan and the Abyei Area.

    Sources: African Union Commission

    Supporting statements

    The Chairperson strongly condemns the recent deadly drone attacks in Sudan and the Abyei Area.

    Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission · our summary of African Union Commission
  6. 2026-10-25

    Reported 25 October: OHCHR reported at least 306 deaths and hundreds of injuries from drone strikes during the first three weeks of October.

    Sources: Radio Dabanga

    Supporting statements

    The UN Human Rights Office documented at least 306 deaths and hundreds of injuries during the first three weeks of October.

    UN Human Rights Office · our summary of Radio Dabanga
  7. 2026-10-26

    On 26 October, a coordinated drone attack hit five power stations in Al-Jazira, Gedaref and White Nile, causing wide outages, a government official said.

    Sources: The Hindu (via AFP)

    Supporting statements

    A government official said Rapid Support Forces launched a coordinated drone attack on five power stations on Monday, causing mass power outages across the country's east.

    government official · our summary of The Hindu, via AFP

    The official said two power stations each were hit in Al-Jazira and Gedaref states and one in White Nile state.

    government official · our summary of The Hindu, via AFP
  8. 2026-10-26

    On 26 October, a drone struck a market in northern Nyala around 8 p.m.; medical staff and witnesses initially reported 21 deaths and 40 injuries.

    Sources: The Hindu (via AFP) · Der Spiegel (via Agence France-Presse)

    Supporting statements

    A Nyala resident said a drone struck a market in the city's north on Monday around 8 p.m. (1800 GMT).

    One Nyala resident · our summary of The Hindu, via AFP

    Twenty-one people were killed in the drone attack, according to hospital sources.

    a representative of the local hospital · our summary of Der Spiegel, via Agence France-Presse

    Forty more people were injured in the attack in Nyala on Monday evening.

    a representative of the local hospital · our summary of Der Spiegel, via Agence France-Presse
  9. 2026-10-27

    On 27 October, a drone strike hit the Al-Markhiyat transformer station, disrupting power across parts of Khartoum and Al-Jazira, according to an electricity-company source.

    Sources: The Hindu (via AFP)

    Supporting statements

    A source in the national electricity company said RSF drones targeted the Al-Markhiyat transformer station, disrupting power across large parts of Khartoum and Al-Jazira states.

    a source in the national electricity company · our summary of The Hindu, via AFP
  10. 2026-10-27

    On 27 October, the Tasees government health ministry reported 188 deaths and 356 injuries from the Nyala market strike.

    Sources: Radio Dabanga

    Supporting statements

    The health ministry said the death toll from the strike was 188, with 356 injured.

    Health ministry of the Tasees government · our summary of Radio Dabanga

    The health ministry said 188 people had been killed and 356 injured in an attack on Tangong market in Nyala.

    Health ministry of the Tasees government · our summary of Radio Dabanga

Coverage

Each outlet's headline, linked to its article. Non-English headlines are machine-translated. The groupings and notes on what each outlet emphasises are automated.

None of our outlets is based in Sudan or SS.

Group by
CGTNChina
Death toll from Sudan army strike in disputed territory rises to 153 Highlights a pattern of drone strikes
2 more from CGTNUN condemns drone strikes in SudanSudan accuses drone attacks to alleged activity in Ethiopia
South China Morning PostHong Kong
Drone strike on market in disputed Sudan border region kills at least 153 Reports army account of fuel-tanker target
Relays Associated Press
France 24France
More than 150 killed in Sudan drone strike on disputed Abyei border region Centers a witness who buried his brother
Relays Associated Press, France 24
Le MondeFrance
Sudan: More than 20 dead after drone attack on a market in Nyala Translated headline. Original: Soudan : plus de vingt morts après une attaque de drone contre un marché à Nyala Attributes the market strike to Sudan's army
1 more from Le MondeSudan: 53 killed after Sudanese army attack on a market on the border with South Sudan
Relays Agence France-Presse
Der SpiegelGermany
Sudan: People killed in drone attack on market in Sudanese region of Darfur Translated headline. Original: Sudan: Tote bei Drohnenangriff auf Markt in Region Darfur
Relays Agence France-Presse
Deutsche WelleGermany
Sudan drone strike kills around 150 in Abyei market Reports South Sudan's blame of army
Radio DabangaNetherlands
UN, France condemn escalating drone attacks across Sudan Emphasizes displaced people facing renewed violence
6 more from Radio DabangaTasees places South Darfur market strike toll at 188 — MSF receives 36 bodies in NyalaAfrican Union condemns deadly drone strikes in Sudan, AbyeiSudan war: ‘Many still missing’ as Abyei market drone strike toll risesDrone strikes ‘kill 100+’ in South Darfur market as Sudan power stations targetedUN human rights chief: ‘Sudan drone strikes killed 306 in three weeks’Sudan: China deploys anti-drone systems in Abyei after deadly attack
BBC NewsUnited Kingdom
Sudan army drones hit mourners and fuel market killing more than 300 people, sources say Reports Emergency Lawyers' Blue Nile toll
The GuardianUnited Kingdom
Sudan paramilitary drone strikes cause mass power cuts in eastern states Describes strike on a transport hub
1 more from The GuardianUK sanctions Sudanese military leaders implicated in El Fasher ‘campaign of rape’
African Union CommissionInternational
AUC Chairperson Condemns Deadly Drone Attacks in Sudan and the Abyei Area Calls to halt attacks on civilians
UN NewsInternational
World News in Brief: 5 children killed in Sudan, Haiti hunger emergency, Yemen war update Gives the month's cumulative civilian toll
1 more from UN NewsUN condemns deadly wave of drone strikes in war-torn Sudan
OkazSaudi Arabia
Drone strikes Al-Markhiyat station… Power outage in Omdurman and Khartoum Translated headline. Original: مسيرة تقصف محطة المرخيات.. انقطاع التيار الكهربائي في أم درمان والخرطوم Reports RSF strike on displaced people
2 more from OkazPower outage affects wide areas of SudanRapid Support Forces drones target Khartoum; army announces it has shot them down
HürriyetTürkiye
Attack in Sudan Turns Into a Massacre: At Least 153 Dead Translated headline. Original: Sudan'daki saldırı katliama dönüştü: En az 153 ölü Reports burned bodies and ongoing searches
NDTVIndia
Drone Strike On Market In Sudan Kills Over 150 Reports South Sudan's blame and market locations
Relays Associated Press
The HinduIndia
Sudan drone strikes kill 21, cause mass outages in east amid ongoing violence Lists vulnerable groups among the casualties
2 more from The HinduMass outages in Sudan after RSF drones hit five power stationsSudan army strike in disputed territory kills 53: local authorities
Relays AFP
Daily JangPakistan
Drone attack in Sudan’s disputed Abyei area; death toll rises to 153 Translated headline. Original: سوڈانی متنازع علاقے ابیئی میں ڈرون حملہ، ہلاکتیں 153 ہو گئیں Tracks the death toll's rise
1 more from Daily JangSudan: Drone attack on disputed Abyei area kills 73

More detail

Written by our automated pipeline from the statements in the coverage; each point lists the statements it rests on.

Key points

OHCHR documented at least 306 deaths and hundreds of injuries from drone strikes during the first three weeks of October, attributing the strikes to both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF. UN human rights chief Volker Türk called the growing use of drones deeply disturbing; OHCHR spokesperson Seif Magango said civilian deaths and damage to vital infrastructure were driving displacement and deepening the humanitarian crisis.

The Blue Nile displacement-shelter strike drew tolls of 30 deaths from local authorities, at least 31 from Radio Dabanga, at least 40 in the UN's initial report and 41 from Emergency Lawyers. Blue Nile authorities blamed the RSF; Wad al-Mahi's governor said the drone launched from inside Ethiopia, while Ethiopia rejects Khartoum's accusation that it hosts RSF fighters and bases.

In West Kordofan, OHCHR reported at least 139 deaths in a repeat strike on a transport truck in Dibab; an AFP-cited medical source gave a toll of 80 for the Al-Dibab strike. A witness said he helped bury 50 bodies, including his brother, and that 47 people were taken to Al-Mujlad, where a medical source said 30 died from their injuries. Tasees blamed the army for the strike, and the army said it did not attack civilians even if it believed RSF fighters were among them.

Sources (1)

Sudan's army · our summary of BBC News

At Abyei's Amiet Market, authorities described vulnerable civilian victims and said about 22 munitions were dropped. Akol reported 153 deaths as a nearby fuel depot burned; an anonymous military officer said the army targeted tankers arriving from South Sudan and bound for the RSF, while another official claimed those killed were RSF members or linked to fuel smuggling. South Sudan protested, urged Sudan to avoid endangering civilians and property, and called for Abyei issues to be handled diplomatically.

Sources (4)

Abyei Area administration · our summary of Le Monde

Abyei district authorities · our summary of The Hindu, via AFP

“The casualties comprise vulnerable civilian populations, including women, children, the elderly, local merchants, members of the host Ngok Dinka community, South Sudanese…”
Abyei district authorities · quoted in The Hindu, via AFP

Yohanna Akol Ngor, Abyei administration official · our summary of France 24, via Associated Press

A Sudanese government official attributed a coordinated attack on five power stations in Al-Jazira, Gedaref and White Nile to the RSF. Le Monde described an RSF operation against six plants across four eastern states; an army source said drones came from Ethiopia and targeted three stations, though Okaz said their origin and the circumstances could not be independently verified. Residents and a farmer described power cuts and damage to livelihoods.

Sources (4)

government official · our summary of The Hindu, via AFP

government official · our summary of The Hindu, via AFP

Our summary of Le Monde, via Agence France-Presse

Sudanese Army · our summary of Okaz

A Nyala market strike on October 26 drew casualty reports ranging from early medical accounts of 21 deaths and 40 injuries to MSF's count of at least 36 deaths and more than 150 injuries, Emergency Lawyers' 102 deaths and 113 injuries, and the Tasees government health ministry's 188 deaths and 356 injuries. MSF and South Darfur's civilian administration attributed the strike to the Sudanese army; MSF said markets are not targets and warned that attacks threaten access to food and essential supplies.

Sources (4)

One Nyala resident · our summary of The Hindu, via AFP

medical staff member at a local hospital · our summary of Le Monde, via Agence France-Presse

Médecins Sans Frontières · our summary of Radio Dabanga

Health ministry of the Tasees government · our summary of Radio Dabanga

Drone attacks also killed four people, including three children, at two locations in eastern Khartoum; army air defenses intercepted two drones reported to be targeting the area around Khartoum airport. A strike on Omdurman's Al-Markhiyat substation was attributed to RSF drones by an electricity-company source, while separate Sudanese sources said drones launched from Ethiopia targeted it.

Sources (2)

a source in the national electricity company · our summary of The Hindu, via AFP

Sudanese sources · our summary of Okaz

The African Union chairperson condemned attacks across Sudan and Abyei, called for civilian and humanitarian personnel to be protected and aid access to be allowed, and urged an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and an inclusive Sudanese-led political process. At Geneva peace discussions, UN envoy Pekka Haavisto proposed prisoner exchanges and coordination over secondary-school examinations; Saudi Arabia, a US adviser and analyst Mohamed Torshin also set out positions on ceasefire efforts and Sudan's political future.

Sources (4)

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission · our summary of African Union Commission

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission · our summary of African Union Commission

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission · our summary of African Union Commission

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission · our summary of African Union Commission

How coverage differed

UN human-rights and humanitarian coverage: These accounts document civilian deaths, displacement and damage to essential services, and emphasize humanitarian law, accountability and civilian protection.

Abyei coverage: Coverage focused on the Amiet Market strike, changing casualty reports, responsibility claims, South Sudan's protest and responses from the UN, African Union and MSF; several accounts relay overlapping Associated Press material.

October attacks on markets and power infrastructure: Reports covered eastern power-station outages, the Omdurman substation strike and casualty estimates and civilian accounts from the Nyala market strike.

Geneva peace efforts: UN reporting noted the Sudanese government and the RSF were absent from the meeting; Saudi Arabia set out its position, while Radio Dabanga covered confidence-building proposals and political-process challenges.

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Photo credits

People at a displacement site in Tawila, North Darfur, Sudan, on 19 October 2025. The site was gathering newly displaced people from El Fasher.

File:Tawila refugees setting up shelter.jpg · Mohamed Elgoni for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) · CC BY-SA 2.0

https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/11/1166347

Original source

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