Updated: 3 August 2026 08:51:27
35 people killed in drone strike in Darfur, Sudan
Moatinoon - Agencies
At least 35 people were killed in a drone strike in Darfur, Sudan, on Sunday, according to the Emergency Lawyers Group. The group blamed the Sudanese army for the attack. The strike targeted a gathering of civilians attending local court hearings, as fighting between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues for the third year.
The group, which has documented abuses committed by both the Sudanese army and the RSF throughout the conflict, said the strike occurred around 1:00 PM local time.
According to the organization, the court in Gara al-Zawiya was hearing local disputes when it was attacked.
A witness from the area told AFP on condition of anonymity for security reasons, "The court session was being held under a tree with community leaders present."
The witness said that among the dead were "four tribal chiefs and two RSF commanders."
The village is under the control of the RSF, which is fighting against the Sudanese army. Since April 2023.
At approximately 1:00 PM today, a drone targeted the headquarters of the customary court in the village of Zawiya Ghara, in the Al-Sereif locality of North Darfur State. According to initial reports, the attack resulted in the death of at least 35 people and injuries to others who were present inside and around the court at the time of the attack.
This attack comes amidst ongoing military operations in North Darfur and the escalating use of drones to target civilian areas and gatherings. This increases the risks faced by the population and leads to further loss of life and a deterioration of the humanitarian situation.
The Emergency Lawyers Group strongly condemns the targeting of the customary court and the civilians inside and around it. It affirms that directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law.
The group calls for an independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances of the attack, identifying and holding accountable those responsible, and obligating all parties to the conflict to respect the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution, and to guarantee the protection of civilians, judicial facilities, and civilian objects from the effects of military operations.
