Five civilians were killed and four others wounded in a drone strike attributed to Sudan’s military in the Blue Nile region, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, said.
The movement said the attack struck Balila, in Kurmuk locality, on Saturday, October 31, destroying a commercial centre and causing civilian casualties.
In a statement reported by Radio Dabanga on Sunday, the SPLM-N accused Sudan’s military of carrying out the strike as part of a continuing campaign of aerial attacks against populated areas in what the movement calls the New Funj region.
The group said military drones had repeatedly targeted civilian communities, disrupting commercial activity and threatening residents already affected by prolonged fighting.
The reported casualties and responsibility for the attack could not be independently verified.
Balila and surrounding areas have previously experienced drone strikes, including attacks on markets and civilian infrastructure that drew condemnation from local rights organisations.
The latest incident comes amid continuing military operations in Blue Nile between Sudan’s military and forces aligned with TASIS, including the RSF and the SPLM-N.
Both sides have reported advances and counterattacks across the region, although competing battlefield claims are frequently difficult to verify independently.
The SPLM-N, a founding member of TASIS, has maintained a longstanding armed presence in parts of Blue Nile and South Kordofan.
Fighting has intensified across the southern border region during 2026, with civilians increasingly exposed to aerial bombardment, disruption of essential services and forced displacement.
The International Organization for Migration has reported widespread displacement across Blue Nile this year as insecurity has affected communities throughout the region.
The latest allegations add to mounting concerns about the impact of drone warfare on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Sudan’s continuing conflict.
