RSF Drone Strike Kills Five Civilians in Khartoum, Second Attack in a Week

TL;DR: An RSF drone strike killed five civilians in Khartoum, marking the second such attack in a week. Emergency Lawyers says the strike breaches international humanitarian law, while UN data shows nearly 700 civilian deaths from drone strikes in Q1.

After months of relative calm following government forces' regain of control last year, Khartoum has experienced a resurgence of drone attacks. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) carried out the latest strike, which hit a residential area in the city center.

Emergency Lawyers, an independent legal group, said the RSF is fully responsible for the strike and accused it of violating international humanitarian law, which protects civilians during conflict. According to UN figures, nearly 700 civilians died in drone strikes during the first three months of this year. The attack is the second drone strike on Khartoum within seven days.

The repeat strikes suggest a shift in RSF tactics toward targeting urban areas despite earlier claims of focusing on military sites. Humanitarian groups warn that continued drone use could erode the limited progress made in restoring basic services and encouraging displaced residents to return. Observers will monitor whether the Sudanese government launches investigations or increases air defenses to prevent further civilian harm.

Analysts will watch for any official response from the RSF or the Sudanese government and for signs of escalation in other urban centers.