Drone Destroys UN Aid Convoy, Sudan Army Denies Role

A World Food Programme convoy was hit by a drone strike in Sudan’s Darfur region on Wednesday. The attack took place in Mellit, a town under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Three trucks in the 16-vehicle convoy caught fire and were destroyed. Fortunately, all humanitarian staff survived without injuries, the UN agency confirmed in a statement shortly after the incident.

The convoy was carrying food to a famine-hit village, located about 90 kilometers northwest of el-Fasher. The area has been struggling with hunger and ongoing violence for months.

Army Denies Responsibility as RSF Points Finger

Sudan’s army quickly denied any involvement in the drone strike. However, the RSF directly accused the military of targeting the convoy in its territory.

The RSF does not operate an air force, but both sides in Sudan’s civil war have used drones in combat. The exact origin of the drone used in the strike remains unclear.

WFP said, “Humanitarian staff and assets must never be a target.” The agency called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and allow aid to reach those in need.

Aid Operations Under Fire as Conflict Worsens

This is the latest in a series of attacks on aid workers and convoys in Sudan. In June, five aid workers were killed during a similar incident in el-Fasher.

El-Fasher is the last major city in Darfur still held by the Sudanese army. It has been under siege by the RSF for more than a year, and fighting there has recently intensified.

Sudan plunged into civil war in April 2023, triggered by a bitter power struggle between the army and RSF. The war has turned into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed since the conflict began. Over 12 million Sudanese have been displaced inside the country, and 4.5 million have fled across borders.

Most of the refugees are women and children, many of whom are living in dire conditions. Food shortages, violence, and disease continue to spread in many parts of the country.

Both the army and RSF have been accused of using starvation as a weapon. Aid groups say food is being looted and deliveries are being blocked to punish civilians.

The WFP says access to famine-affected regions must be protected at all costs. The agency continues to call for safe humanitarian corridors across Sudan.