RSF Drone Kills Civilians in Sudan, Incites Further Fear Amongst Public

Author: Aahana Nagwekar

May 5, 2026

HRRC strongly condemns the killing of innocent civilians as a result of the Sudanese civil war. The use of drone strikes to purposefully target those living in Sudan is inhumane, and the RSF must take accountability. Additionally, both military groups should continue to follow the international humanitarian law that has been instilled worldwide.

A displaced woman stands in front of an empty boxes at a displaced people's camp in Sudan, [Image Credit: El Tayeb Siddig/Reuters, AlJazeera]

On May 2, 2026, 5 civilians were killed in Khartoum by a drone strike carried out by the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group fighting against the Sudanese government military in the ongoing civil war. 

Local legal groups supporting the victims of human rights abuses in Sudan known as Emergency Lawyers reported this as the second of these attacks in this week, revealing how heightened tensions in this civil war are leading to a rapid increase in civilian casualties. Specifically, this attack comes mere days after a different targeted drone strike hit a hospital in Jebul Aulia.

The legal group continues to explain how this attack was a blatant violation of humanitarian law, as the RSF's drone attacks resulting in civilian casualties have been increasing in the last months. These threats to the safety of innocent civilians in Sudan that are in imminent danger due to opposing forces fighting for dominance, are severe crimes under international law. 

Prior to these strikes, Khartoum had been relatively calm in terms of warfare since its recapture. The area had been reclaimed by the Sudanese government in March, and civilians were allowed to return to their homes and resume daily life, despite massive basic necessity gaps.

Before March, however, this conflict had been catastrophic. 14 million people had been displaced, and two-thirds of that number were in dire need of humanitarian aid or support. Therefore, these strikes mark the continuation of violent conflict to which no one is being held accountable. 

In order to extend better protections for innocent citizens across Sudan, the rights group called for the safeguarding of certain roads and residential areas as well as full civilian protection to ensure complete safety.

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Glossary

• Accountable – the state of being held at fault, liable, or answerable.

• Catastrophic – disastrous event

• Civilian casualties – killed or injured people who are not members of the police or the armed forces

• Dire – causing or involving great fear or suffering

• Heightened – to deepen

• Humanitarian – having concern for or helping to improve the welfare and happiness of people

• Imminent – likely to occur at any moment

• Instilled – infused slowly or gradually into the mind or feelings

• Paramilitary – noting or pertaining to an organization operating as, in place of, or as a supplement to a regular military force.

• Safeguarding – to protect them from being harmed, lost, or badly treated.

• Violation – a breach of a law, rule, or promise