Sudan’s Army Drone Strike on a Traditional Court Kills 35
Thirty‑five people were killed in a Sudanese army drone strike that hit a traditional court session in the north of the Darfur region, according to the Emergency Lawyers Group (ELG), a civilian rights organisation monitoring violence.
The strike, carried out over Ghara al-Zawiya village – an area controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – also left dozens injured. The ELG said the court session was held under a tree with local community leaders present. Four tribal leaders and two RSF commanders were among the victims.
Investigation demands from the ELG underlined that attacks on civilian gatherings violate international humanitarian law. They also noted that drones are increasingly used to target civilians, heightening the risk to communities across the conflict zone.
The broader Darfur conflict, where RSF control much of the west of Sudan, has already killed tens of thousands and displaced millions. In 2023 a UN fact‑finding mission described an RSF siege of el‑Fasher as having “hallmarks of genocide.” The RSF denies these accusations.
Traditional courts are a cornerstone of indigenous land‑rights and dispute resolution in Darfur. The loss of such a venue not only silences voices but undermines the cultural fabric that sustains tribal communities.
The attack underscores an urgent call for accountability and reinforces the need to protect civilian spaces in war. More about the crisis: BBC News on Sudan.
