Drone strike kills five in Sudan's capital amid worsening humanitarian crisis

An unmanned aerial vehicle attack in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, killed five civilians and was attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The strike has renewed attention on the country’s internal conflict, which has been raging since 2023.

The RSF is a quasi‑military organization that was formerly under Sudanese government control. It originated as auxiliary militia groups during the Darfur war and was reorganized in August 2013 by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemeti. The RSF took part in the 2021 Sudanese coup, sharing power with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Since 2023, however, the RSF and SAF have been locked in a civil war, each vying for control of Sudan. In 2025 the RSF even established a parallel administration called the Government of Peace and Unity.

During the war, the RSF has been accused of committing large‑scale war crimes against non‑Arab communities in Darfur and against Arab groups in Khartoum State and Gezira State—specifically the Ja’alin and Shaigiya—who are perceived as supporting the SAF. The RSF’s combatants are primarily mercenaries funded by the seizure of gold mines and businesses, as well as by sponsorship from state institutions. The group also rents its fighters to other organizations.

The Sudanese civil war has caused massive civilian casualties and has destabilized neighboring countries and the broader Horn of Africa. The drone strike underscores the severity of the conflict and the accompanying humanitarian crisis.

For the international community, the Sudanese war presents a complex challenge. Nations must cooperate to seek a political solution that ends the fighting and restores stability, while humanitarian assistance must be delivered promptly to protect civilians, especially women and children, from the ravages of war.

Although Taiwan has no direct ties to the Sudanese conflict, the situation is relevant for understanding global security dynamics and humanitarian challenges. As a member of the international community, Taiwan should monitor such hotspots, learn from Sudan’s experience in dealing with complex security and humanitarian issues, and contribute to global peace and stability while enhancing its own capacity for international engagement and global governance.