Sudan Drone Attack
Sudan Drone Strike Kills 13 Civilians Near Crowded North Kordofan Courthouse
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Key Points
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The strike occurred around 1 p.m. local time and involved three missiles fired at the courthouse grounds and administrative buildings, according to a witness.
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A medical source said the death toll initially stood at 12 before rising to 13 after another victim died from severe injuries in hospital.
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One eyewitness told AFP that the drone struck a tree directly outside the administrative building, while another said residents pulled victims from the wreckage and that some died before receiving medical transport.
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Umm Rawaba remains under Sudanese army administrative and military control, while the surrounding Kordofan region is strategically important as a corridor linking army-held positions in central Sudan with the RSF-controlled Darfur region.
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The broader conflict has killed thousands, displaced millions and damaged infrastructure and essential services across Sudan, according to the Vietnam News Agency report.
A drone strike on a courthouse in Um Rawaba, Sudan killed at least 13 people and wounded 22 others on Wednesday afternoon, according to Al Jazeera. The attack hit a crowded area near the courthouse, market, and homes around 1 p.m. local time. Medical sources said the death toll rose to 13 after another victim died from severe injuries in the hospital. Local authorities and rights groups blame the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which has not yet commented on the strike.
Three Missiles Hit Courthouse Grounds
A witness told Al Jazeera that three missiles struck the courthouse grounds and administrative buildings near Um Rawaba's market. One eyewitness described seeing a drone strike a tree directly outside the administrative building. Residents rushed into the rubble to pull out trapped victims and carry the wounded to hospitals. Some people died before medical transport could arrive, witnesses said.
Drones Now Drive Most Sudan Civilian Deaths
This attack reflects a dangerous trend in Sudan's war. The United Nations reported that drones accounted for more than 80 percent of civilian deaths during the first four months of 2026, according to Al Jazeera. Sudan's conflict between the government army and the RSF began in April 2023. The war has killed thousands, displaced millions, and destroyed hospitals, schools, and other essential services across the country.
Um Rawaba's Strategic Location Increases Vulnerability
Um Rawaba sits in North Kordofan, a region the Sudanese army controls. The city lies along a critical corridor connecting army-held positions in central Sudan to RSF-controlled areas in Darfur. This strategic location makes it a target for both sides. Al Jazeera noted that the courthouse and administrative buildings likely attracted the drone strike because of their official status.
Rights Group Demands Investigation and Accountability
The Emergency Lawyers Group condemned the targeting of civilian and judicial buildings and called for an independent investigation into the attack. The group urged all parties to follow international humanitarian law, which forbids striking civilian areas. Neither the RSF nor the Sudanese army has fully complied with these rules during the three-year war. Al Jazeera noted that accountability remains rare in Sudan's conflict.
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