At least 35 people were killed and several others injured when Sudanese army drones targeted a traditional court in western Darfur on Sunday, according to the Emergency Lawyers group. The strike occurred around 1 p.m. local time in the village of Garra al-Zawaya, North Darfur state, the rights group reported. The Emergency Lawyers, which has been documenting human rights abuses committed by both sides of Sudan's ongoing civil war, stated that civilians had gathered to attend hearings on local cases and disputes at the time of the attack.

The village of Garra al-Zawaya is currently under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The court building, a traditional institution used for resolving local and tribal conflicts, was also damaged in the strike. A witness from the area, speaking anonymously for safety, told AFP that the court session was taking place under a tree and involved local community leaders. The witness also reported that among the fatalities were four tribal leaders and two RSF commanders.

This incident highlights the escalating use of drone warfare in Sudan's protracted conflict. The war, which began in April 2023, pits the Sudanese army, led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, against the RSF, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. Tens of thousands of people have been killed since the fighting erupted. The conflict has also resulted in a massive humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced and creating what the United Nations describes as the world's largest displacement crisis.

Garra al-Zawaya is situated near the town of Kabkabiya, approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) west of el-Fasher. El-Fasher was the army's last significant stronghold in Darfur before it was captured by the RSF following a fierce offensive in October of last year. United Nations investigators have previously stated that the violence associated with the RSF's siege and capture of el-Fasher exhibited "the hallmarks of genocide."

Following its consolidation of control over much of Darfur, the RSF, which has its origins in the Janjaweed militia accused of widespread atrocities in the region in the early 2000s, has been a key player in the ongoing conflict. Both the army and the RSF have increasingly turned to drone technology in their combat operations. Data from the UN indicates a sharp rise in civilian casualties from drone strikes, with over 1,000 civilians reportedly killed in such attacks in the first five months of the current year.

The continued reliance on aerial bombardment, including drone strikes, has had devastating consequences for civilian populations in conflict zones like Darfur. The targeting of a traditional court, where community members gather for dispute resolution, underscores the indiscriminate nature of some attacks and the severe impact on civilian life and local governance structures.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of violence that has severely impacted Sudan's civilian population. The conflict has not only led to a high death toll but also to widespread destruction of infrastructure and the displacement of millions. The humanitarian crisis is compounded by challenges in accessing aid and the ongoing insecurity across vast swathes of the country.

Questions remain about accountability for such attacks and the efforts to protect civilians caught in the crossfire. The Emergency Lawyers group's documentation efforts are crucial in shedding light on the human cost of the conflict and potentially informing future justice mechanisms.