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At least 35 people were reportedly killed after a drone strike hit a traditional court session in Sudan’s Darfur region, according to a local rights organisation, in one of the latest deadly incidents in the country’s ongoing civil war.
The Emergency Lawyers Group, which monitors violence against civilians, said the attack took place on Sunday afternoon in Ghara al-Zawiya village, an area controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), reports BBC.
Dozens of other people were reported injured in the strike.
The Sudanese army, which has been locked in conflict with the RSF for more than three years, had not commented on the allegations at the time of reporting.
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According to the Emergency Lawyers Group, the traditional court session was attended by local community leaders when it was struck.
A witness reportedly said the meeting was being held under a tree when the attack occurred.
The witness said four tribal leaders and two RSF commanders were among those killed.
Darfur 24, a privately owned news outlet, quoted a local resident as saying two drones flew over the village before firing more than four missiles.
The Emergency Lawyers Group condemned the attack and called for an independent investigation, describing the targeting of a civilian court as a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
The organisation also expressed concern over the increasing use of drones in the conflict, saying they were being used to target civilian areas and public gatherings, placing more lives at risk.
The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF has devastated large parts of the country since fighting erupted in 2023.
Tens of thousands of people have been killed, millions displaced and vast areas of Darfur remain under RSF control.
Both sides have faced accusations of violating international humanitarian law during the conflict.
The RSF has previously been accused of committing war crimes, including attacks on civilians, and a United Nations fact-finding mission said its siege and assault on the city of El Fasher last year bore the “hallmarks of genocide.” The paramilitary group has denied the allegations.
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