In brief
The United Nations has condemned a surge of drone attacks in Sudan that have killed hundreds of civilians, including women and children, across Sudan and the Abyei region, according to a statement by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The attacks are viewed as violations of international humanitarian law, the UN said. Guterres urged all parties to spare civilian life and critical infrastructure and called for an immediate pause in hostilities to enable mediation.
On Saturday, the Secretary‑General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, issued a statement through Xinhua on November 1, 2026, condemning a sharp rise in unmanned aerial vehicle attacks that have intensified the conflict in Sudan.
The announcement highlighted the escalating nature of the drone strikes and the severe toll they have taken on the civilian population, stressing the urgency of an immediate response.
UN Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres said:
The secretary‑general is appalled by all the attacks directed against civilians and critical infrastructure, including health facilities.
According to the statement, the drones have killed hundreds of civilians across Sudan, with victims ranging from men to women and children, illustrating the indiscriminate character of the strikes.
The impact has not been confined to Sudan proper; the attacks have also extended into the disputed Abyei region, bringing a broader regional dimension to the violence.
Such actions are described in the report as violations of international humanitarian law, underscoring the UN’s concern over breaches that endanger civilian life.
Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric of the United Nations, quoted in the Xinhua story, reiterated the severity of the situation and called for an immediate halt to the drone attacks.
In addition to condemning the violence, the UN reaffirmed its readiness to support any effort that seeks a durable political settlement in line with the aspirations of the Sudanese people.
The call for a cessation of hostilities is framed as a foundational step toward ending the conflict, urging all parties to engage in good‑faith mediation and to protect civilian areas and critical infrastructure.
