Drone strikes killed at least 306 people across Sudan in the first three weeks of October, the UN human rights office said on 23 October, attributing them to both the army and the Rapid Support Forces. The deadliest hit a transport truck in Dibab, West Kordofan, on 18 October, killing at least 139 in what the office called a repeat "double tap" strike.
The Human Rights Council renewed its war-crimes investigation on 6 October and demanded an unconditional ceasefire. The Security Council condemned a 19 October drone attack on a market in Abyei that killed more than 80 people, and extended the Darfur arms embargo to 11 December without widening it nationwide. The war has forced about 13 million people from their homes, and 33.7 million need food support this year, the UN says.
Why it matters
Both armies now kill mainly with drones, and the UN's evidence work is the best hope of holding commanders accountable later.
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Key Indicators
13M+
People displaced by the war
People forced from their homes, a UN estimate cited by Al Jazeera in October 2026. Aid groups call it the world's largest displacement crisis.
306
Killed in drone strikes in three weeks
Civilian deaths documented by the UN human rights office between 1 and 21 October 2026, with hundreds more injured.
16 events
Latest: October 23rd, 2026 · 3 weeks ago
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October 2026
UN rights chief condemns drone surge, counts 306 dead
LatestStatement
Volker Türk condemned the escalation, saying drones already account for most conflict-related civilian deaths in Sudan this year. The human rights office documented at least 306 deaths in the first three weeks of October, attributed to both warring sides.
Security Council condemns Abyei drone attack
Statement
The council condemned the 19 October strike on Amiet market and the Todach area "in the strongest terms", said the toll may rise, and called for a full investigation with those responsible held to account.
Burhan names Abyei committee head, writes to Trump and Merz
Diplomacy
Sudan's military leader appointed retired Major General Al-Khair Abu Mureidat to lead the Sudanese side of the Abyei joint oversight committee, Mada Masr reported. Burhan also sent letters to the US and German leaders while insisting the RSF withdraw and disarm before any truce.
Drone attack on Abyei market kills more than 80
Conflict
A drone struck Amiet market and the Todach area in Abyei, the disputed oil-rich region between Sudan and South Sudan. UNISFA peacekeepers visited the affected communities as the mission verified casualties.
At least 139 killed in repeat strike on West Kordofan transport truck
Conflict
A truck carrying civilians was hit in a "double tap" strike in Dibab, an area controlled by the RSF, according to the UN human rights office. Al Jazeera had reported 80 killed at the same transport hub near al-Dabba, where villagers gathered after market day to find rides home.
RSF drones hit South Kordofan gold mining area
Conflict
Strikes on the Bajaun gold mining area in Gadeer locality on 9 and 16 October killed 42 civilians and injured 25, the UN human rights office said, attributing them to the RSF. It warned that gold mining sites tied to the war economy are not automatically military targets.
Army drone strikes hit shelters for displaced people in West Kordofan
Conflict
Between 6 and 10 October, strikes attributed to the Sudanese Armed Forces hit displaced people's shelters in Ghubeish and El Nuhud, killing at least 25 civilians including women and children and injuring 31.
RSF drone strike kills 30 in Blue Nile
Conflict
An RSF drone strike on Wad al‑Mahi in Blue Nile state killed 26 women and four children, according to local officials.
Burhan rejects talks, vows to defeat RSF
Statement
Army chief Abdel Fattah al‑Burhan dismissed negotiations, saying the military option will continue until the RSF is removed from Sudan.
UN Security Council extends Darfur arms embargo, rejects nationwide ban
Sanctions
The council voted 15‑0 to extend the Darfur arms embargo until December 11 but failed to adopt the US proposal to widen it to all of Sudan. Russia and China opposed the broader measure.
Council demands ceasefire, extends probe
Resolution
The Human Rights Council votes 28-10 to renew the mandate and call for an unconditional ceasefire.
February 2026
Mission reports El Fasher genocide signs
Investigation
The mission says the RSF assault on El Fasher bore the hallmarks of genocide.
October 2025
Council renews mission again
Investigation
The mandate is extended for a second time as the war grinds on.
October 2024
Council renews mission for first time
Investigation
The council extends the mandate by one year amid continued fighting.
October 2023
UN creates Sudan fact-finding mission
Investigation
The Human Rights Council establishes an independent mission to document abuses and preserve evidence.
April 2023
War breaks out in Khartoum
Conflict
Sudan's army and the RSF clash after months of tension, igniting a nationwide war.
Scenarios
1
Sudan's warring sides sign a ceasefire and open talks
Possible
Resolves by Q2 2027
Discussed by: Human Rights Watch and the resolution's own language
The resolution demands an unconditional ceasefire and a civilian-led political transition, with an independent monitoring mechanism. For this to happen, both the army and the RSF would have to accept that mechanism and negotiate a settlement. The record so far is thin: neither side has shown willingness to stop after three and a half years of fighting. Trigger: both sides announce a truce and enter talks.
2
UN extends Sudan probe again as the war grinds on
Likely
Resolves by Oct 31, 2027
Discussed by: UN Human Rights Council voting patterns
The council has renewed the mission every October since 2023, and this vote drew record support, with Gambia, Mauritius, and Malawi joining for the first time. If the fighting continues, the most likely outcome is another one-year renewal at the next session rather than a peace breakthrough. Trigger: the war remains active and the council renews the mandate again.
3
Security Council refers all of Sudan to the ICC
Possible
Resolves by Q2 2028
Discussed by: The resolution's call to expand ICC jurisdiction past Darfur
The ICC currently investigates only Darfur under a 2005 Security Council referral. The new resolution explicitly calls for coverage of all of Sudan. A full-country referral needs a Security Council vote, which has drawn opposition from some permanent members. Darfur shows the path exists: the 2005 referral produced genocide indictments against Omar al-Bashir. Trigger: a Security Council resolution referring the whole country.
4
Security Council expands arms embargo to all of Sudan by December 11
Possible
Resolves by Dec 11, 2026
Discussed by: US proposal; The National, Africa Report
The US is pressing for a nationwide embargo, but Russia and China oppose it. If the deadlock breaks, the council would adopt a new resolution widening sanctions beyond Darfur.
5
The Abyei strike pulls South Sudan into Sudan's drone war
Uncertain
Resolves by Jan 31, 2027
Discussed by: UN Security Council statement; Mada Masr reporting on Juba ties
The 19 October attack on Amiet market and Todach killed more than 80 people in Abyei, a region claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan and patrolled by UN peacekeepers. The Security Council demanded an investigation and warned the toll could rise. Neither side has said who fired, and Abyei's status has been unresolved for years.
Historical Context
3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.
1 of 3
2003-2004
Darfur genocide and the Janjaweed (2003-2004)
Government forces and the Janjaweed militias killed hundreds of thousands of civilians and drove millions from their homes in Darfur. The U.S. and the UN called the violence genocide while it unfolded, but the Security Council waited until 2005 to act.
Then
In 2005 the Security Council referred Darfur to the ICC, which in 2009 indicted then-president Omar al-Bashir for genocide.
Now
The RSF grew directly out of the Janjaweed, and the war's current commanders were shaped by that era.
Why this matters now
The RSF's assault on El Fasher echoes the Janjaweed's earlier campaigns, and the resolution pushes to extend ICC oversight beyond Darfur to all of Sudan.
2 of 3
2016 - present
UN Syria evidence mechanism (2016)
With no prospect of a criminal court for Syria, the UN General Assembly created the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism in 2016 to collect and preserve evidence of atrocity crimes for future prosecution.
Then
The mechanism has built case files and shared evidence with national prosecutors as the war continued.
Now
It proved that evidence can be preserved while conflict rages, ready for trials years later.
Why this matters now
Sudan's fact-finding mission follows the same model: collecting evidence now for prosecutions after the war ends.
3 of 3
April-July 1994
Rwandan genocide (1994)
In about 100 days, Hutu extremists killed around 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutu. The UN peacekeeping force was too small to stop it, and the Security Council did not authorize force.
Then
The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, created in late 1994, eventually convicted dozens of leaders for genocide.
Now
The failure to intervene became the defining case study of international inaction during genocide.
Why this matters now
The mission's "hallmarks of genocide" finding in El Fasher revives the question of whether the world will act on genocide warnings or wait for trials years later.
