UN Warns Drone Strikes Are Raising Civilian Risks In Sudan

Khartoum, August 4, 2026 - The United Nations warned of rising risks to civilians from drone strikes in Sudan, including an August 2 attack in the Ghurra Zawia area of Kabkabiya locality in North Darfur that killed at least 37 people. Renewed drone strikes near El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, have also threatened civilians, vital infrastructure and emergency aid operations.

Humanitarian agencies are trying to expand life-saving relief around the city as fighting and insecurity continue to obstruct access. The Sudan aid appeal remains heavily underfunded, with $1.2 billion received out of $2.9 billion required for 2026. The funding gap is constraining relief operations in one of the world's largest conflict-driven humanitarian crises.

Diplomatic efforts continued alongside the security warnings. UN Personal Envoy Pekka Haavisto discussed preparations for a visit to Khartoum with Foreign Minister Muhieddine Salem and separately held talks with RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo on possible de-escalation steps.

Haavisto is due to travel to Türkiye this week for talks with Turkish authorities and Sudanese political stakeholders, including youth and women representatives. The effort forms part of a broader initiative involving the UN, African Union, IGAD, Arab League and European Union after preliminary Sudan talks in Addis Ababa in June.

Conclusion

The situation in Sudan from August 1 to 15, 2026, illustrates a nation deeply entangled in a two-front struggle: a volatile military contest and a fractured political landscape.

Political Stalemate: Burhan's domestic dialogue initiative-offering temporary legal immunity-has laid bare the political rift in the country. While military-aligned factions like the Democratic Bloc support the domestic track, major civilian alliances such as Somoud and TASIS continue to reject army-backed frameworks, demanding an immediate ceasefire, civilian protection, and an end to military dominance. Meanwhile, international mediation via the Quintet mechanism remains stalled due to widespread boycotts and disputes over participant selection.

Military & Humanitarian Escalation: Despite the Sudanese Armed Forces securing strategic trade corridors like the Export Road to El Obeid, the Rapid Support Forces continue to mount counter-offensives, execute heavy drone attacks across major urban hubs, and expand direct tribal mobilization in Darfur. This ongoing warfare has exacerbated acute humanitarian emergencies, driving new waves of displacement, disrupting the agricultural season, and fueling severe public health outbreaks, including cholera and dengue.

Economic & Infrastructure Resilience: Amid severe inflation and currency depreciation, central state institutions are attempting to reassert control through foreign exchange restrictions, anti-smuggling crackdowns on gold, and the reactivation of core infrastructure like the national electronic payment switch. However, these stabilization efforts remain highly vulnerable to chronic power shortages, war damage, and border security risks.

Ultimately, Sudan’s short-term outlook hinges on overcoming political fragmentation. Without an inclusive, unified transition framework that prioritizes a durable ceasefire and humanitarian access, competing peace tracks risk hardening territorial divisions, prolonging economic paralysis, and deepening the crisis for millions of displaced civilians.

By Jeff Buleli