Sudan army drone strike on court session kills 35, rights group says

What the report says

Thirty-five people were killed and dozens more injured in a drone strike on a traditional court session in Ghara al-Zawiya village in northern Darfur, according to the Emergency Lawyers Group, a local rights organisation that tracks violence against civilians. BBC Africa reported that the incident took place on Sunday afternoon in an area controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with the Sudanese army accused of carrying out the attack.

The group said the gathering was being held under a tree with local community leaders present. A witness cited by AFP said four tribal leaders and two RSF commanders were among the dead. Another local account quoted by Darfur 24 said two drones flew over the town before launching multiple missiles. The Sudanese army had not commented on the claims at the time of reporting.

The strike comes against the backdrop of Sudan’s three-year civil war between the army and the RSF, which has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions. Most of Darfur remains under RSF control. The Emergency Lawyers Group condemned the attack and called for an investigation, saying assaults on civilians and civilian infrastructure are a serious breach of international humanitarian law.

More broadly, BBC Africa noted that drones are increasingly being used in the conflict, raising risks for civilian areas and public gatherings. The RSF has also faced accusations of abuses during the war, including drone attacks, which it has denied.