GENEVA

The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor on Thursday said the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) use of drones in civilian areas of Sudan constitutes a "grave violation of international humanitarian law" and amounts to war crimes.

In a statement, the monitor said: "This conduct reflects a pattern of unlawful attacks amounting to war crimes and, in its broader context, crimes against humanity, requiring international criminal accountability."

According to the Euro-Med, RSF drone strikes on residential neighborhoods and densely populated areas breach the principles of distinction and proportionality, as well as the obligation to take precautions in attack.

Over the past week, Euro-Med said it documented the killing of at least 28 civilians and the injury of several others in drone attacks carried out by the RSF in North Kordofan, South Kordofan and Sennar, noting that in most cases there was no evidence of military necessity.

One of the deadliest incidents occurred on Jan. 5, when an RSF drone struck a residential house in the Jalabiya neighbourhood of El Obeid, killing 13 civilians, including eight children, despite the absence of any military presence, the group said.

In another attack, it said, an RSF drone hit the Kartala market in South Kordofan on Sunday, killing five civilians and injuring around 20 others during a busy period.

Euro-Med said the repeated targeting of homes and markets indicates the use of drones as a systematic tool to spread fear, further worsening Sudan’s humanitarian crisis and forcing civilian displacement.

"The parties to the conflict in Sudan must immediately and fully cease attacks against civilians and civilian objects, strictly comply with international humanitarian law, and ensure the immediate and safe delivery of humanitarian and medical assistance to conflict-affected areas without obstruction or delay," it said.