The Sudanese conflict has reached a new level of violence. This weekend, March 7 and 8, 2026, a series of drone strikes bloodied several commercial areas in the west of the country, leaving at least 33 dead and dozens wounded.

A particularly heavy civilian toll

The attacks targeted places of daily life, transforming marketplaces into scenes of chaos:

1. West Kordofan: On Saturday, the towns of Abu Zabad and Wad Banda were hit. A local doctor reported 33 deaths and 59 injuries. Witnesses reported burying entire families who worked there.
2. East Darfur: On Sunday, the El-Daien market was targeted by a drone, causing a massive fire in the fuel sales area.
3. South Kordofan: The Red Crescent has confirmed the death of one of its volunteers, a victim of a separate strike that targeted the hospital in Dilling a few days earlier.

War of communication between belligerents

The Sudanese army, singled out by survivors and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), categorically denies targeting civilians. A military source called these accusations "baseless lies," asserting that only rebel infrastructure is being targeted. For their part, the RSF denounces indiscriminate bombing of populations in the areas they control.

The strategic challenge: The Kordofan lock

Kordofan became the nerve center of the war for two main reasons:

1. Resources: The region is rich in oil, arable land and minerals.
2. Geography: By consolidating their hold on Kordofan, the RSF are attempting to secure a strategic corridor linking their strongholds in Darfur to the capital, Khartoum.

The humanitarian context: After nearly three years of conflict, Sudan is experiencing the world's worst humanitarian crisis, according to the UN. Tens of thousands have died and more than 11 million are displaced , while both sides are regularly accused of war crimes by the international community.