Drone strike by Sudan's paramilitary force kills 41 near Ethiopian border, rights group says

Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) carried out a drone attack on a camp for displaced people in the Blue Nile state, which borders Ethiopia, killing 41 people, according to the rights group Emergency Lawyers. The strike hit the Abu Shandi area on Friday.

The UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha) said it was appalled by horrifying reports of the attack. Initial information suggests most of the casualties were women and children.

Area already under attack

Ocha said the area had been under sustained attack in recent weeks, displacing thousands of civilians and exposing many more to grave harm.

Background to the conflict

Sudan's army and paramilitary forces, including the RSF, have been locked in a power struggle since 2023. The conflict has killed hundreds of thousands of people and forced more than 14 million from their homes. It has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with millions in need of medical help.

The army controls much of central and eastern Sudan. The RSF is headquartered in the western region of Darfur and also controls areas in the south. Both sides have been accused of using drone attacks.