The Emergency Lawyers group reports that Sudanese army drones struck a traditional court in Garra al-Zawaya, North Darfur, killing at least 35 people and wounding others. The attack hit around 1pm while civilians attended hearings under a tree; witnesses say four tribal leaders and two RSF commanders were among the dead. The strike comes amid rising drone use in a conflict that began in April 2023 and has displaced millions, creating a major humanitarian crisis.
Deadly Army Drone Strike Hits Darfur Court — At Least 35 Killed, Rights Group Says
Displaced Sudanese mother of five Hanan Adam Hassan prepares food at a camp shelter in Tawila, North Darfur [Reuters]
At least 35 people were killed and several others wounded when Sudanese army drones struck a traditional court in the village of Garra al-Zawaya in North Darfur on Sunday afternoon, the Emergency Lawyers group reported.
The group, which documents abuses by both sides in Sudan's three-year civil war, said the strike occurred at about 1pm local time (11:00 GMT) while civilians had gathered to attend hearings on local disputes. The village is under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The session was held outdoors. 'The court session was being held under a tree with the participation of local community leaders,' a witness told AFP on condition of anonymity. Emergency Lawyers said the dead included four tribal leaders and two RSF commanders. The court building, a customary institution for resolving local and tribal disputes, was also damaged.
Broader context: The attack comes amid a conflict that began in April 2023 between forces loyal to RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and the Sudanese army under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced since the fighting began.
Garra al-Zawaya lies near Kabkabiya, roughly 150 km west of el-Fasher. The RSF captured el-Fasher after an offensive in October; United Nations investigators said violence linked to that siege and capture bore 'the hallmarks of genocide.' The RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militia, which has been accused of atrocities in Darfur in the early 2000s.
Drones and humanitarian impact: Both sides in the conflict have increasingly relied on drone strikes. According to the UN, more than 1,000 civilians were killed in drone strikes during the first five months of this year alone. Continued violence has produced what the UN calls the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
Attribution and access: Details come from the Emergency Lawyers group and local witnesses; independent verification remains limited because access to many areas of Darfur is restricted amid ongoing fighting.
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