Deadly Market Drone Strike in Darfur Follows Attacks on Sudan Power Grid
A drone strike on a South Darfur market has killed dozens, while paramilitary assaults on electrical stations leave parts of eastern Sudan without power.
Key points
- A drone hit a market in Nyala, South Darfur, killing dozens of people and leaving at least 40 wounded.4,5,7
- Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces launched drone assaults against five power plants across eastern Sudan, causing widespread electricity failures.1,2,3
- Sudanese authorities have blamed neighbouring Ethiopia for involvement, claiming strike drones were dispatched from Ethiopian locations.10
Sudan's conflicting factions have traded deadly aerial attacks, with a drone strike hitting a market in Nyala, South Darfur. Early reports from medics and local residents indicated at least 21 people were killed and roughly 40 injured when the weapon struck an area frequented by young men and Rapid Support Forces personnel. A subsequent report via Dabanga stated that civilian fatalities exceeded 100 at the Tangong Market.4,5,6,7
The Darfur incident coincided with coordinated drone raids targeting energy infrastructure. According to a Sudanese government official, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces hit five power facilities in army-held eastern territory. The strikes hit two facilities in Al-Jazira state, two in Gedaref state, and one in White Nile state, causing widespread electricity outages across those regions. Subsequent strikes also targeted infrastructure in Omdurman.1,2,3,7
Sudanese authorities have separately accused neighbouring Ethiopia of aiding the drone attacks on power stations, fuel depots, and civilian sites. Sudan alleged that the unmanned aircraft involved were flown out of Ethiopian territory, explicitly citing Bahir Dar Airport.10
How the coverage differs
- Reports differ significantly on the market casualties: medical sources speaking to AFP stated 21 were killed, whereas Dabanga reported that more than 100 civilians lost their lives.5,7
- While several outlets reported on the power station disruptions and the Nyala market attack, Addis Standard specifically detailed official Sudanese accusations that Ethiopia hosted the launch sites for recent drone strikes.1,5,10
Sources · the original reporting
- 1Sudan paramilitary drone strikes cause mass power cuts in eastern states ↗The Guardian · World · GB · 26 Oct 2026, 9:59 am UTC
- 2Sudan experiences massive power outages after RSF drone strikes ↗Africanews · 26 Oct 2026, 3:51 pm UTC
- 3Mass outages in Sudan after RSF drones hit five power stations ↗The Hindu · IN · 26 Oct 2026, 5:18 pm UTC
- 4Drone strike kills at least 21 and injures 40 in Sudan’s Nyala ↗Al Jazeera · QA · 27 Oct 2026, 8:35 am UTC
- 5Sudan drone strikes kill 21, cause mass outages in east ↗Dawn · PK · 27 Oct 2026, 9:05 am UTC
- 6Sudan drone strikes kill 21, cause mass outages in east amid ongoing violence ↗The Hindu · IN · 27 Oct 2026, 9:27 am UTC
- 7Sudan: Drone Strikes 'Kill 100+' in South Darfur Market As Sudan Power Stations Targeted ↗AllAfrica · 28 Oct 2026, 4:34 am UTC
- 8Faster, deadlier Russian drones shift warfare into horrifying new phase ↗ABC News (AU) · AU · 28 Oct 2026, 6:40 pm UTC
- 9Spain mourns after latest train tragedy kills 68 ↗CNA · SG · 29 Oct 2026, 2:12 am UTC
- 10Sudan: Sudan Once Again Accuses Ethiopia of Involvement in Drone Strikes Targeting Power Stations, Civilian Sites ↗AllAfrica · 29 Oct 2026, 6:35 am UTC
- 11Russia drone strike on Ukrainian railway station kills 13 ↗UN News · 29 Oct 2026, 12:00 pm UTC
- 12‘Horrific’ Russian drone strike kills 13 at Ukraine train station ↗The Japan Times · JP · 29 Oct 2026, 12:06 pm UTC
- 13Russian drone strike on Ukraine train station kills 13 ↗CNA · SG · 29 Oct 2026, 12:28 pm UTC
- 14Russian drone attack on Ukrainian train station kills at least 13, officials say ↗BBC News · World · GB · 29 Oct 2026, 12:38 pm UTC
- 15Russian drone strike on Ukrainian train platform kills 14 ↗ABC News (AU) · AU · 29 Oct 2026, 1:47 pm UTC
- 16Ukraine: Russian strike kills two teenage girls in Chernihiv ↗Africanews · 29 Oct 2026, 11:15 pm UTC
- 17Drone strikes kill 14, including children, in Ethiopia's Amhara: witnesses ↗The Hindu · IN · 30 Oct 2026, 10:34 am UTC
- 18Israeli drone strike in Gaza's Khan Younis injures at least 14 ↗Middle East Eye · 30 Oct 2026, 10:54 pm UTC
- 19Israeli strike on Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza kills Palestinian ↗Middle East Eye · 31 Oct 2026, 6:45 am UTC
- 20Drone strikes in Ethiopia kill at least 25: witnesses ↗Africanews · 31 Oct 2026, 9:11 am UTC
- 21Israeli attacks on Gaza kill at least nine people ↗Al Jazeera · QA · 1 Nov 2026, 2:10 pm UTC
- 22Israeli strikes in Gaza kill eight including child, hospitals say ↗BBC News · World · GB · 1 Nov 2026, 4:25 pm UTC
- 23Israeli strikes kill nine people in Gaza ↗Middle East Eye · 1 Nov 2026, 5:07 pm UTC
- 24Israeli strikes kill eight people in Gaza, medics say ↗ABC News (AU) · AU · 1 Nov 2026, 9:07 pm UTC
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