“These latest killings are another reminder of the devastating consequences for civilians of the increasing use of drone warfare in Sudan,” he said.
The attacks occurred between February 15 and 16 in four states of Sudan, where the national army and a paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have been at war since April 2023.
Markets, schools and shelters for internally displaced people affected
Türk said a suspected Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) drone attacked Al Safiya market in Sudari town, North Kordofan state, on February 15, reportedly killing 28 civilians and wounding 13 others.
The following day, in Western Kordofan, a suspected Sudanese Armed Forces drone attacked a shelter for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Al Sunut, killing 26 civilians, including 15 children. Fifteen other people were injured.
That same day, suspected RSF drones attacked two primary schools in Dilling, South Kordofan, but the victims have not yet been determined.
Elsewhere, a suspected RSF drone attacked Al-Mazmoun hospital in Sennar state on February 15, killing at least three civilians and wounding at least seven others.
On the same day, a suspected Sudanese Armed Forces drone attacked a fuel warehouse inside a local market in Adikong, West Darfur. Casualties have been reported but are not yet confirmed.
“Continuous attacks by all parties against civilian objects must stop,” the human rights chief said.
“The parties must take urgent measures to protect civilians, including by refraining from military use of civilian objects.”
UN convoy arrives in South Kordofan
Meanwhile, a multi-UN agency convoy has brought vital humanitarian supplies to two towns in South Kordofan – Dilling and nearby Kadugli – that have been largely cut off from aid for more than two years.
The 26 trucks transported essential medical, food, nutritional, health, water and sanitation (WASH) supplies and educational supplies for more than 130,000 people.
The items included food products to help nearly 70,000 people (including 21,000 mothers and children) with specialized nutritious foods to prevent malnutrition. Also on board were five months of medications for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, as well as life-saving medications.
The convoy was led by the World Food Program (WFP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
A UN convoy delivers vital aid to isolated communities in Sudan’s South Kordofan state.
‘A fundamental lifeline’
“The arrival of this convoy is a critical lifeline for children who have been deprived of assistance for too long,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative in Sudan.
Due to escalating hostilities and insecurity along the main route from Al Obeid, the convoy was forced to stop for more than 40 days, delaying the mission and exposing communities to increased risks.
The trucks eventually reached Dilling navigating a longer and more difficult off-road route, highlighting how humanitarian convoys make progress even in extremely difficult conditions, said Makena Walker, WFP’s acting director in Sudan.
“Routes must remain open and predictable so that life-saving assistance can reach people without interruption, including communities that have been isolated for too long,” he said.
UN agencies stressed that sustained, predictable and secure access is urgently required to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation throughout South Kordofan.
Increase support
“The arrival of life-saving medicines in South Kordofan is a great relief for patients who have seen supplies dwindle during the war. But now the clock is ticking again,” said Luca Renda, UNDP Resident Representative in Sudan.
“To keep patients alive, we need to increase support for national systems that can maintain regular deliveries across Sudan, even as the war continues.”