The Darfur Victims Support Organization (DVSO) condemns the drone strikes carried out on 21 and 22 October 2026 against civilian areas in East and South Darfur, including the main market in El Daein, the market in Abu Jabra, a fuel station, and a physician’s residence in Nyala. These attacks reflect the expanding risks facing civilians as markets, commercial establishments, healthcare services, and sources of livelihood are subjected to destruction amid Sudan’s ongoing war.
Based on credible eyewitness accounts and field information received by the Organization, the main market in El Daein, the capital of East Darfur State, was struck by a drone on Wednesday, 21 October, in an attack attributed to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The strike hit commercial premises, including shops selling vehicle spare parts, and damaged civilian property. On Thursday, 22 October, a further attack targeted the market in Abu Jabra, while the Al-Arab neighbourhood market in El Daein was also struck. These attacks resulted in civilian casualties, damage to commercial property and vehicles, and the destruction of substantial quantities of food supplies by fire.
According to field information documented by the Organization, a volunteer providing internet services was killed, and other casualties included women and children. Several civilians also sustained injuries of varying severity. Those affected included small shopkeepers and street vendors who depend on local markets to provide for their families. The destruction of these establishments therefore extends beyond immediate material losses, undermining livelihoods and deepening the suffering of communities already devastated by war and displacement.
In Nyala, the capital of South Darfur State, information received by the Organization indicates that a fuel station and the residence of Dr. Adam, a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology, were targeted. Dr. Adam reportedly sustained injuries while providing medical services to civilians at his clinic. The reported incident is particularly serious in a city hosting large numbers of internally displaced persons, many of whom depend on local healthcare facilities for essential treatment and medical care.
Attacks on markets, commercial establishments, and civilian property, resulting in casualties and the destruction of livelihoods, raise fundamental questions concerning compliance with international humanitarian law. The prohibition against directing attacks at civilians and civilian objects, the obligation to distinguish military objectives from protected civilian objects, and the duty to take all feasible precautions to avoid or minimise civilian harm are binding on all parties to the conflict. These obligations remain fully applicable regardless of whether drones are used or military operations take place in populated areas.
The Organization emphasises that civilian protection must be measured not merely by the number of people killed or injured, but also by whether communities are able to preserve the basic conditions necessary for survival, access food and healthcare, and pursue their economic activities without being exposed to attack. The destruction of local markets and small businesses deprives families of their sources of income, disrupts the supply and distribution of essential goods, and places additional burdens on displaced persons and other vulnerable groups, thereby exacerbating the humanitarian and economic consequences of the war.
Accordingly, the Darfur Victims Support Organization calls on the Sudanese Armed Forces, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and all other parties to the conflict to refrain from attacks that violate international humanitarian law and to take all feasible measures to protect civilians and civilian objects, including healthcare facilities and medical personnel. The Organization further calls for independent and effective investigations into the reported attacks, the systematic documentation of casualties and material losses, the identification of those responsible, and accountability for all individuals found to have committed violations of international law.
The Organization urges international and regional human rights mechanisms to intensify their monitoring of attacks against civilians in Darfur, with particular attention to attacks affecting markets, healthcare facilities, and sources of livelihood. It further calls for effective accountability measures to prevent the recurrence of such violations.
The continuation of the war does not justify turning places where civilians earn their livelihoods or obtain essential goods and services into targets of attack. The protection of civilian lives, property, and means of survival remains a binding legal obligation that must not be subordinated to the military calculations of the parties to the conflict.
