RSF Drone Strike Kills 24 Displaced Families Near Rahad
A drone strike hit a vehicle carrying displaced families near Er Rahad in North Kordofan, killing 24 people including eight children, health groups said.
Overview
The Rapid Support Forces carried out a drone attack near the city of Er Rahad in North Kordofan on Saturday that struck a vehicle transporting displaced families, killing at least 24 people including eight children, the Sudan Doctors Network said.
The strike occurred one day after a World Food Programme convoy was attacked in North Kordofan, threatening life-saving food deliveries and worsening humanitarian access, Denise Brown, U.N. humanitarian coordinator, said.
Emergency Lawyers and the Sudan Doctors Network called the attack a "flagrant violation of international humanitarian law" and urged international rights organizations to hold RSF leadership accountable, officials said.
Er Rahad and the broader Kordofan region face severe shortages of medical supplies and lost aid; U.N. figures show more than 14 million people have been displaced and over 40,000 killed since April 2023, aid groups said.
Humanitarian agencies warned attacks on aid and civilians could deepen famine risk and the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification warned acute malnutrition will rise in 2026, with nearly 4.2 million children and women affected, the IPC report said.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources collectively frame the story around civilian suffering and RSF culpability by leading with the drone strike on displaced families, using emotive descriptors (e.g., "notorious"), and foregrounding condemnations and humanitarian data. Source quotes alleging war crimes are presented, while the RSF voice is absent, amplifying an accusatory narrative.
Sources (6)
FAQ
The RSF is a notorious paramilitary group in Sudan that has been at war against the Sudanese military for control of the country since April 2023.
On Saturday, the RSF conducted a drone attack near Er Rahad in North Kordofan, striking a vehicle carrying displaced families from the Dubeiker area, killing at least 24 people including eight children (two infants).
The war between the Sudanese army and RSF began in April 2023, killing over 40,000 people, displacing more than 14 million, and causing famine and disease outbreaks.
The strike occurred one day after a World Food Programme convoy attack in North Kordofan, threatening food deliveries and worsening access amid medical shortages and famine risks.
The Sudan Doctors Network and others condemned it as a war crime violating international humanitarian law, urging global action to protect civilians and hold RSF accountable.
History
3 sources