According to a local human rights organization, a Sudanese army drone attack targeting a traditional court hearing in northern Darfur resulted in the deaths of 35 people. Dozens of other individuals were also injured during the assault on Sunday afternoon.
The “Emergency Lawyers Group,” which documents violence against civilians, reported on Monday that the incident occurred in the village of Ghara al-Zawiya, an area currently under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The army has not yet issued a comment regarding the event.
This attack took place during a hearing attended by local community leaders, which sources say was being held under a tree. Among those killed were four tribal leaders and two RSF commanders. A resident contacted by the private news website Darfur 24 recounted that two drones circled above the town before unleashing more than four rockets.
The RSF maintains control over large parts of western Darfur. Both factions in the ongoing civil war have been engaged in conflict for three years, which has devastated the country, claimed thousands of lives, and forced millions to flee their homes.
The Emergency Lawyers Group strongly condemned the attack on the court. The group called for an investigation into the incident, stating that attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure constitute a “serious violation of humanitarian international law.” They also highlighted the escalating trend of drones being employed to strike civilian areas and concentrations of people, which increases the danger to the population.
Furthermore, the RSF has been accused for years of committing war crimes, including drone attacks against civilians. Last year, a UN investigative mission characterized the siege and the militia’s attack on the city of al-Fasher as having “characteristics of genocide.” Despite these accusations, the RSF has consistently denied the charges.
