UN says a suspected drone strike left at least 40 dead in Sudan's Blue Nile State

9 October 2026

A suspected drone strike has left at least 40 dead in Sudan's Blue Nile State, near the Ethiopian border, according to initial reports from the ground relayed by UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric on 9 October 2026. Most of the casualties were women and girls. Dujarric condemned the horrifying reports, stressing that attacks directed towards civilians are prohibited under international humanitarian law, and called for those responsible for these violations to be held accountable. Fighting in the region has escalated in the last few months as clashes have intensified between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Government. They are fighting over strategic towns and bases near the Ethiopian border, as part of the broader battle for control of Sudan that has been ongoing since April 2023. In recent weeks, thousands of civilians have been displaced in the area due to sustained attacks. Al Jazeera reported the same day that the governor of Wad al-Mahi province put the toll at 30 displaced people killed.