DARFUR — Thirty-five people were killed in a drone strike by the Sudanese army on a traditional court session. The attack took place in Ghara al-Zawiya village in North Darfur state.

The strike occurred at approximately 1 p.m. local time, which is 11:00 GMT, according to reports from the Emergency Lawyers Group. Dozens of people were injured in the attack, which targeted a gathering of civilians attending hearings on local cases and disputes.

A witness described the scene, stating that "The court session was being held under a tree with the participation of local community leaders." Two drones flew over the town before launching more than four missiles at the site. The court building was damaged in the strike.

Four tribal leaders and two RSF commanders were among those killed in the attack. Ghara al-Zawiya village is controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The village lies near the town of Kabkabiya, about 150 km (93 miles) west of el-Fasher.

The Sudanese army has not commented on the strike. The Emergency Lawyers Group called for an investigation into the drone strike. The organization condemned the targeting of the court, stating that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are a "grave violation of international humanitarian law".

The Emergency Lawyers Group noted that drones are being increasingly used "to target civilian areas and gatherings, which exacerbates the risks faced by the population". More than 1,000 civilians were killed in drone strikes during the first five months of 2026, according to the UN.

The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths since it began in April 2023. Millions of people have been displaced by the conflict. The UN describes the situation in Sudan as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.

In July 2026, the RSF attacked a displacement camp in Abu Shouk, killing at least 300 people over two days, as part of its campaign in Darfur. The Emergency Lawyers Group has documented over 1,000 cases of abuse by both the Sudanese army and RSF since the conflict began in April 2023.

The RSF holds most of Darfur. El-Fasher is the army’s last stronghold in Darfur. The RSF captured el-Fasher after an offensive in October 2025. A UN fact-finding mission stated that the RSF's siege and attack on el-Fasher bore the "hallmarks of genocide".

The RSF has denied accusations of war crimes. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) originated as auxiliary force militias known as the Janjaweed used by the Sudanese government during the War in Darfur. The Sudanese government restructured the Janjaweed militias as the paramilitary organization Rapid Support Forces in August 2013 under the command of Muhammad Dagalo, also known as Hemedti.

The drone strike on a traditional court shows the intensifying use of aerial weaponry against civilian institutions in RSF-controlled areas. The Emergency Lawyers Group identified the attack as part of a broader pattern where drones are used to target gatherings, increasing risks for the population. This event adds to a record of documented abuses by both sides since the war began in 2023.

The strike occurs within a context of widespread displacement and significant casualties across Sudan. With the RSF controlling most of Darfur and the army holding el-Fasher, civilian areas remain central to the fighting. The UN characterization of the crisis as the world’s largest humanitarian emergency reflects the scale of suffering affecting millions of displaced people.

Why It Matters

The strike on a traditional court session illustrates an intensifying pattern where drones target civilian gatherings, exacerbating risks for populations in RSF-controlled areas. With over 1,000 civilians killed by drone strikes in the first five months of 2026 alone, this attack further erodes local dispute resolution mechanisms essential for community stability. The incident adds to documented abuses by both sides in a conflict that has displaced millions and created the world's largest humanitarian crisis.