The Democratic Sudan Liberation Movement has strongly condemned deadly drone strikes in West Kordofan state that reportedly killed at least 80 civilians, accusing Sudan’s military of deliberately targeting residents and those attempting to rescue the wounded.
In a statement on Monday, the movement described the attacks on Al-Dabab and Al-Muglad as a “mass execution” and called for an urgent international investigation into alleged war crimes.
The movement said a Turkish-made Bayraktar Akinci drone struck a group of civilians, including women and children, as they prepared to board a truck in Al-Dabab.
It alleged that a second strike was launched after other residents gathered to assist the wounded, bringing the reported death toll to 80.
Independent accounts gathered by AFP supported reports of a deadly double strike. A witness said drones hit a transport hub twice, approximately 10 minutes apart, while a medical source confirmed that 80 people had died. The military’s responsibility for the attack and the type of drone used have not been independently established.
The movement also reported a separate drone strike near a girls’ school in Al-Muglad, which it said injured at least two people.
It accused the Port Sudan authorities of violating international humanitarian law by targeting civilian gatherings, rescue efforts and areas surrounding educational facilities.
The movement called on the United Nations, African Union and international human rights organisations to launch an independent investigation and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
Hasab Al-Nabi Mahmoud Hasab Al-Nabi, chairman of the Democratic Sudan Liberation Movement and a senior figure in the Sudan Founding Alliance (TASIS), accused army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Islamist-aligned factions of pursuing a campaign of violence against civilians.
Speaking to Erem News, Hasab Al-Nabi said the attacks demonstrated what he described as the military leadership’s unwillingness to pursue a peaceful settlement.
He argued that civilians were being deliberately targeted and said the alleged violations could constitute war crimes.
The TASIS official also linked the escalation to reported divisions within the military-aligned Islamist camp, accusing its leadership of seeking to preserve its political influence through continued fighting.
He renewed accusations involving the military’s alleged use of chemical weapons and called for greater international pressure on the Port Sudan authorities.
Hasab Al-Nabi urged the international community to impose sanctions on those supporting the military leadership and to pursue accountability for attacks against civilians.
The condemnation follows mounting reports of civilian casualties from drone warfare across Sudan, where fighting between the military and the Rapid Support Forces has continued since April 2023.
The latest killings in West Kordofan have intensified demands for international action to protect civilians and investigate alleged violations of the laws of war.
