Ne možete se sakriti od napada bespilotnim letjelicama: Teror koji pada s neba u Sudanu

"You cannot hide from a drone strike," says Elsadig, a 27-year-old resident of El-Obeid, a city in central Sudan. For him, this statement captures the daily reality of living under the constant threat of aerial attacks. El-Obeid, a critical trade and aid hub housing more than half a million people, has become a symbol of the growing danger posed by drone warfare in the ongoing Sudanese civil war. In late June, a drone strike at a water truck station severely injured Elsadig, cutting off his left leg. Nearby, Ahmado, a 42-year-old sewage truck driver, lost his 9-year-old son and two coworkers during the same attack. Both men spoke to CNN, asking to be identified only by their first names due to fears for their safety. The incident highlights how the nature of the conflict in Sudan has changed dramatically since the war began over three years ago. Initially, civilians primarily worried about ground combat, but today, the skies above cities like El-Obeid pose a far greater risk. According to the United Nations, the conflict has led to the displacement of more than 14 million people and has created what officials describe as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The war erupted in April 2023 following a power struggle between Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). These two leaders had previously joined forces in a 2021 coup against the civilian-led government but soon turned on each other in a bid for dominance. As the conflict has dragged on, both the SAF and RSF have increasingly relied on drones to conduct attacks. Foreign suppliers have played a crucial role in this shift, providing both sides with access to advanced aerial technology. According to the Africa Defense Forum (ADF), a military and security magazine published by the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), both factions have moved their focus toward airborne weapons, reducing reliance on ground forces that have reached a stalemate. Turkey has been one of the main suppliers of drones to the SAF, including the Bayraktar TB2 model, which is known for its extended flight time, ability to carry explosives, and relatively low cost. These drones reportedly helped the SAF push the RSF out of Khartoum last year. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently hosted SAF chief al-Burhan in Ankara, reinforcing diplomatic ties. Meanwhile, the RSF has also bolstered its drone capabilities, using Chinese-made FH-95 drones capable of striking targets at long distances. Some of these systems have been traced to suppliers in the United Arab Emirates, according to reports from Military Africa, a defense publication. The presence of Turkish-made drones on the RSF side complicates efforts to determine responsibility for attacks on civilians. The involvement of foreign powers in supplying arms to both sides has raised concerns among international observers. The UAE has repeatedly denied allegations that it arms the RSF, despite evidence linking weapons found in Darfur to the Gulf nation. A UN Security Council panel assessed these claims as credible in 2024. The proliferation of drones has further complicated the already volatile situation in Sudan, with the United Nations warning that the conflict could enter "yet another new, even deadlier phase." During the first four months of 2026 alone, drone strikes accounted for at least 880 civilian fatalities, representing more than 80 percent of all civilian deaths recorded by the UN. Residents of El-Obeid and other affected areas continue to live in fear, unsure when or where the next drone might strike. Elsadig described how he and others attempt to seek shelter whenever they hear drones overhead, but the unpredictability of the attacks makes it nearly impossible to avoid harm. As the war intensifies, the use of drones is likely to remain a defining feature of the conflict, shaping the experiences of civilians caught in the crossfire.