Drone Attacks Kill 15 Civilians in North Kordofan as Sudan Conflict Intensifies

HAMRAT AL-SHEIKH, July 7, 2026 - At least 15 civilians have been killed in two separate drone strikes targeting civilian vehicles in Sudan’s North Kordofan state, amid a growing wave of attacks that has caused widespread casualties and damage to essential infrastructure. The first strike occurred on Monday in Al-Shaatoot, east of Jabrat al-Sheikh locality, when a drone hit a vehicle carrying people travelling to a wedding. The attack killed 13 civilians, including five women. A second strike took place on Tuesday morning in the Hamrat al-Sheikh area, where a drone targeted a civilian vehicle transporting water near a water source, killing two people. The attacks are part of a broader escalation of drone operations in the Kordofan region, where civilians have increasingly been caught in the fighting between rival forces. Previous strikes have damaged schools, hospitals, and water facilities, further worsening humanitarian conditions. Human rights advocates warned that repeated attacks on civilian movements and essential resources are creating fear among communities and restricting access to basic needs. The legal group said the continued targeting of civilian areas raises concerns over possible violations of international humanitarian law and called for an independent investigation to identify those responsible. It urged all parties involved in the conflict to immediately stop attacks against civilians, allow humanitarian access, and respect international rules protecting non-combatants during armed conflicts.