Sudanese army drone strike kills four civilians in West Kordofan, monitor says

October 17, 2026 (AL-FULA) – A Sudanese army drone strike targeted a civilian vehicle near the Ankoush area in West Kordofan state on Saturday, killing four civilians and injuring several others, some critically, the Kordofan Observatory reported.

Parts of the Kordofan region have seen an escalation in drone strikes amid ongoing fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The violence has heightened concerns over civilian safety, particularly in areas dependent on limited road links for access to essential goods and medical care.

Large areas of West and North Kordofan face severe humanitarian and security challenges, with military operations disrupting transport and trade.

Residents often must travel long distances along insecure routes to reach markets and operational health facilities.

The Kordofan Observatory said in a statement that the vehicle was carrying civilians travelling from Abu Galb in Abu Zabad locality, West Kordofan, toward the town of Al-Mazroub in North Kordofan when it came under attack.

The rights monitor identified the dead as Maryam Ali, known as “Al-Haja Maryam,” Umm Khamis Ali, Al-Touma Ali, and Fadl Al-Sid Ali.

The observatory noted that the vehicle was transporting patients seeking medical care alongside other civilians heading to shop for basic necessities.

Targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law and may amount to a war crime, the group said.

The monitor called on relevant authorities to document the incident, verify casualties, and hold perpetrators accountable to ensure justice for victims and their families.

The group added that three civilians were killed in an attack on the Fuja area on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

An attack on Al-Janana village near Wad Banda on the same day left a child dead, alongside another strike reported in the Abu Zaeima area.

Condemning strikes on civilian vehicles, the observatory urged the Sudanese army to halt attacks that endanger non-combatants and called on the RSF to stay away from residential zones to spare civilians from active military operations.