Dozens killed in RSF drone attack in war-torn Sudan’s South Kordofan

The attack in Dilling town comes a day after Sudan’s military declared an end to RSF siege there.Published On 29 Jan 2026Dozens of people have been killed in a drone attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a key town in war-torn Sudan’s South Kordofan state, according to local media reports.Multiple areas of Dilling, including the headquarters of the Sudanese army’s 54th Brigade and the central market, were struck by suicide drones during Wednesday’s attack, the Sudan Tribune reported, citing local sources and medical groups.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Sudan food aid at risk of running dry, UN warnslist 2 of 3Sudan’s people endure ‘horror and hell’ in war, says UN rights chieflist 3 of 3Is the UK playing a double game in Sudan and Somalia?end of listAl Jazeera could not independently verify the latest RSF attack, which came a day after the government-aligned Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) announced that it had broken a nearly two-year-long RSF siege on Dilling, gaining control over key supply lines.Dilling lies halfway between Kadugli – the besieged state capital – and el-Obeid, the capital of neighbouring North Kordofan province, which the RSF has sought to encircle.The RSF and the SAF have been waging a brutal civil war for control of Sudan since April 2023, which has killed thousands of people and displaced millions.Since the siege was lifted, Dilling has endured a wave of drone attacks that have destroyed service facilities and caused several casualties.Military sources told the Sudan Tribune that the RSF was attempting to reinstate the blockade, though the SAF continues to hold the area and repel assaults near the strategic town of Habila in North Kordofan state.Amid these clashes, the Sudan-doctors-network" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="2002" data-entity-type="organization">Sudan Doctors Network has called for an urgent humanitarian corridor to deliver life-saving food and medicine. Local sources said the situation on the ground remains desperate, with a severe lack of health services and a critical shortage of essential supplies, particularly intravenous fluids.