“Emergency Lawyers”: Dozens of civilians killed in drone strike in Kutum, North Darfur

Moatinoon
The “Emergency Lawyers” group has condemned the killing of dozens of civilians, including women and children, following a drone strike that targeted a civilian gathering in Al-Salama neighborhood in the city of Kutum, North Darfur State, on Tuesday evening.

In a statement, the group said the drone belonged to the Sudanese army, holding it fully responsible for the attack, which it described as a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.

The statement noted that the incident comes amid escalating clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, which have included the use of drones in civilian areas. This has resulted in hundreds of casualties, as well as large-scale displacement and the targeting of civilian and service facilities, including health and humanitarian centers, according to the statement.

The “Emergency Lawyers” group stated that targeting civilians or subjecting them to indiscriminate attacks constitutes a war crime that requires accountability.

It further stressed that such attacks represent a clear violation of the principles of distinction and proportionality, as well as obligations to protect civilians during armed conflict, warning of the dangers of continued violations without accountability.

The group reiterated that targeting civilians or exposing them to indiscriminate attacks amounts to a war crime that must be prosecuted, calling for independent investigations and the identification of those responsible, whether those who issued the orders or carried them out.

It also called for urgent international action to halt the use of drones in targeting civilian areas, ensure unimpeded humanitarian access, protect aid workers, and put an end to impunity.

In a related development, the Coordination of El Fasher Resistance Committees said the strike occurred near the “Al-Um Girls School,” resulting, according to preliminary figures, in the deaths of 12 people, including children and girls, in addition to injuries among others.