At least 28 civilians were killed and numerous others injured when a drone attack struck the bustling Sudri market in Sudan’s Kordofan region on Sunday, 16 February 2026. The assault has heightened fear among local residents and further compounded an already dire humanitarian crisis.
The human rights organisation Emergency Lawyers has been monitoring casualties and warned that the death toll may rise as more information becomes available. In a statement, the organisation said, “The use of drones in densely populated areas poses a severe threat to civilian life and safety. Such operations disrupt normal life in the province and jeopardise the wellbeing of ordinary citizens. We call on all parties to immediately cease drone activities.”
According to Emergency Lawyers, the attack was carried out using a military-operated drone. However, two unidentified military officials told the Associated Press, “The army never targets civilians. There is no involvement of the military in this incident.”
This strike comes just a week after a drone attack near the town of Rahad, which killed at least 24 people, including eight children. The day prior to that, a United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) aid convoy was also targeted in a drone strike.
The conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), ongoing since April 2023, has escalated into full-scale warfare across the country. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 40,000 people have been killed and more than 1.2 million displaced. Humanitarian agencies warn that actual figures may be considerably higher due to limited access to conflict zones.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has described Kordofan as “an unstable region at the centre of ongoing conflict.” A recent report highlighted that during a three-day RSF operation in Darfur in late October 2025, over 6,000 people were killed, raising concerns about potential war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Recent Conflict and Humanitarian Impact in Kordofan
| Date | Event | Fatalities | Injured / Displaced | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Feb 2026 | Drone strike at Sudri market | 28+ | Numerous | Strike occurred during peak market hours |
| 9 Feb 2026 | Attack near Rahad town | 24 | Unknown | Targeted a displaced family’s vehicle |
| Oct 2025 | RSF operation in Darfur | 6,000+ | Unknown | Possible war crimes suspected |
| Apr 2023 – Present | Army vs RSF conflict | 40,000+ | 1,200,000+ | Ongoing war, displacement rising |
Prolonged hostilities and recurrent drone attacks have shattered daily life for ordinary Sudanese citizens. Civilians live in constant insecurity, and international human rights organisations have expressed grave concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the potential for further civilian casualties.