Recent drone strikes cause high civilian casualties near Sudanese border

On October 18 and 19, 2026, separate drone strikes resulted in significant loss of life in border regions near Sudan. In Al Dibab, Kordofan province, an attack on a bus terminal killed at least 80 people, most of whom were civilians waiting to travel. Another incident occurred in the contested Abyei region, where officials from South Sudan reported approximately 73 fatalities following an attack on a market area. Conflicting information exists regarding the targets; while one report cites a bus station as the primary strike zone, others indicate that a fuel depot allegedly used by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) was hit in the Abyei market.

The conflict in Sudan, ongoing since April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, continues to destabilize the broader region. While South Sudanese officials attribute the Abyei attack to the Sudanese military, no definitive evidence has been provided. The Sudanese military has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding these allegations. The incidents mark some of the deadliest strikes since the onset of the civil war, further straining local security and humanitarian conditions in the border territories.