Amnesty International: Three Years On, Warring Parties Intensify Brutal War on Civilians with 700+ Killed in Drone Strikes in Q1 2026

On the third anniversary of Sudan's civil war, Amnesty International released a comprehensive report documenting three years of intensifying atrocities against civilians by both the SAF and RSF. Key findings: nearly 700 civilians were killed in drone strikes between January and March 2026, including approximately 245 children — a 50% increase in child casualties compared to the same period in 2025; both parties continue to carry out direct attacks on civilian populations, with SAF drone strikes in Darfur and Kordofan killing hundreds in markets, hospitals, and homes, while RSF forces continue systematic rape and sexual violence (primarily in Darfur), looting, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and deliberate obstruction of humanitarian access. Amnesty documented that 40% of Sudan's health facilities are non-functional following 217+ documented attacks on healthcare infrastructure. The report emphasized that high-income countries meeting at the Berlin Conference (April 15) must convert pledges into actual disbursements immediately, as aid cuts — including the US decision to dismantle USAID — are directly costing lives. Amnesty called for a UN arms embargo on both parties and for ICC investigations to be accelerated given the 'overwhelming evidence' of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by both the SAF and RSF. The OHCHR separately reported in March 2026 that the vast majority of the drone strike civilian deaths occurred in Kordofan region, where RSF-SPLM-N forces are concentrated.