Drones in Sudan: 1,000 Attacks Since April 2023

Since the outbreak of Sudan’s civil war in April 2023, both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have increasingly utilized drones, leading to significant civilian casualties and infrastructure destruction. The RSF evolved from the Janjaweed militia, and tensions between its leader, Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, and Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan ignited the current conflict. Drones from both sides, including Iranian and Chinese models, have transformed combat dynamics, enabling long-range strikes and reconnaissance. This visual investigation by Al Jazeera explores the history and impact of drone warfare in Sudan, detailing the types of drones used and their devastating consequences.