The conflict in Sudan is intensifying in the Kordofan region, marked by a surge in drone warfare that is reshaping the battlefield and exacerbating a humanitarian crisis. Recent strategic gains by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have been countered by the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) continued reliance on drone technology, creating a complex and volatile situation as efforts to secure a lasting truce falter. The escalating use of aerial attacks is raising concerns about civilian casualties and the potential for further destabilization in a country already grappling with widespread violence, and displacement.
For two years, the cities of Kadugli and Dilling in South Kordofan were under siege, a blockade imposed by the RSF and its allied Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) forces. UN-backed food monitors reported that these sieges created famine-like conditions, cutting off essential supplies and endangering the lives of countless civilians. The SAF’s recent breakthrough in lifting these blockades represents a significant shift in the regional power dynamics.
Since regaining control of Kadugli and Dilling, the SAF has increased its aerial bombardments targeting RSF positions, including infrastructure supporting their drone operations. This escalation comes as the RSF has increasingly utilized drones to offset the SAF’s traditional air superiority in the ongoing civil war. The paramilitaries are reportedly deploying Chinese-made CH-95 long-range drones, allegedly supplied by the United Arab Emirates, though the UAE has denied these claims.
The SAF, in turn, is utilizing drones manufactured by Baykar, Turkey’s largest defense contractor, with its capabilities bolstered by advanced Akinci combat models in the past year. While the Turkish government states it does not provide direct support to the SAF, the influx of these sophisticated drones has significantly altered the aerial landscape of the conflict.
In early February, the Sudanese army announced the destruction of RSF drones and anti-aircraft missiles in both Kordofan and Darfur, framing it as a strategic effort to dismantle the RSF’s “non-conventional aerial capabilities,” according to spokesperson Brig Gen Asim Awad. UN News reports that at least 57 people have been killed in drone attacks in just two days, highlighting the growing danger to civilians.
While the BBC was unable to independently verify footage released by Sudan’s state news agency, Turkish media outlets reported on February 10th that an Akinci drone destroyed a Chinese-made FK-2000 air defense system in Sudan. Yusuf Akbaba, a Turkish defense expert, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that “If the RSF’s air defence infrastructure collapses, Sudan’s liberation could be imminent.” Five days later, the army announced the destruction of another RSF air defense system in West Kordofan state.
The increasing reliance on drone warfare in Sudan reflects a broader trend in modern conflict, where unmanned aerial vehicles are becoming increasingly central to military strategy. The conflict, as tracked by the Council on Foreign Relations, has evolved from a localized power struggle to a widespread civil war with significant regional implications.
The situation in Blue Nile state is also becoming increasingly critical, transitioning from a peripheral front to a central battleground in the Sudan conflict, according to ACLED. This shift underscores the escalating complexity of the conflict and the potential for further regional spillover.
The recent deaths of three aid workers and the wounding of four others in a drone attack attributed to the RSF in Kordofan, as reported by Al Jazeera, highlights the dangers faced by humanitarian organizations attempting to provide assistance in the region. The targeting of aid workers further complicates efforts to address the growing humanitarian needs of the Sudanese population.
As the SAF continues its efforts to regain control of key areas and the RSF adapts its tactics, the future of the conflict remains uncertain. The continued use of drones by both sides suggests that aerial warfare will remain a defining characteristic of the fighting in Sudan, with potentially devastating consequences for civilians and the country’s fragile infrastructure. The international community’s efforts to mediate a ceasefire and address the humanitarian crisis will be crucial in preventing further escalation and mitigating the suffering of the Sudanese people.
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