Sudan’s army says it shot down a drone over Blue Nile state on Friday that had crossed from Ethiopia, the second Sudan drone claim in ten days, as the death toll from a separate strike reached 16.
The claim, which has not been independently verified, adds to a dispute that Khartoum has already taken to the UN Security Council and the African Union, and that risks drawing Ethiopia further into Sudan’s war.
What does the army say about the Sudan drone it shot down?
“Our air defences managed this afternoon to shoot down a hostile strategic drone in the Dandro area of Blue Nile state that had crossed the border from Ethiopia,” the army said in a brief statement quoted by Anadolu.
The military described it as a long-range strategic aircraft but did not say who operated it or what its target was. The strike that killed displaced civilians in Kurmuk county was a separate incident. It made a similar announcement on 3 November.
The statement gave no evidence for where the aircraft came from. The origin of the Sudan drone is therefore the army’s assertion alone.
What happened in Kurmuk?
A drone hit a group of displaced people in the town of Bani Shako, in Kurmuk county south-east of Ed Damazin, on Tuesday as they travelled towards the state capital, Sudan Tribune reported.
Kurmuk’s governor, Abdel-Ati Al-Faki, said the toll had risen to 16 dead, with six injured and several missing. Nine deaths were reported at first. The governor, an official on the army’s side, blamed the Rapid Support Forces. The RSF’s response was not included in the reports seen.
It is the second mass-casualty strike on displaced people in the state in recent weeks. In October a drone strike killed 30 displaced people in Blue Nile.
What is Sudan accusing Ethiopia of?
Khartoum says Ethiopia provides launch sites for drones that hit military bases and civilian infrastructure inside Sudan. It also accuses its neighbour of giving logistical support to the RSF and to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North, which are both fighting the army in Blue Nile, according to Sudan Tribune.
After attacks on power stations in several cities in October, Sudan’s government said it had filed a complaint against Ethiopia with the UN Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council, Anadolu reported. DNE Africa covered the strikes on Sudan’s power grid on 12 November.
What does Ethiopia say about the Sudan drone claims?
Ethiopia denies the accusations. It has in turn accused Sudan’s army of backing rebels linked to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which Khartoum rejects, The EastAfrican reported.
Addis Ababa told a UN delegation this week that Eritrea and Sudan were supporting armed groups and drone attacks against it, Addis Standard reported in Amharic on 11 November. Ethiopia had not commented publicly on Friday’s claim by Saturday afternoon, as far as DNE Africa could establish.
Each government is therefore accusing the other of sponsoring attacks across the border. Neither has published evidence that outside parties have been able to check.
Why does Blue Nile matter?
The state lies in Sudan’s south-east, bordering Ethiopia and South Sudan, and contains the Roseires dam on the Blue Nile. Fighting there has intensified this year. Elsewhere the army reported an advance at El Khuwei in West Kordofan on Friday.
A border that both armies say is being crossed by hostile aircraft raises the chance of a direct clash. Every Sudan drone claim that names Ethiopia makes de-escalation harder, whatever the facts behind it.
What happens next?
Sudan’s complaints are before the Security Council and the African Union, neither of which has announced findings.
The toll in Kurmuk may rise further, since several people are still missing.
FAQ
Where was the Sudan drone shot down?
In the Dandro area of Blue Nile state on Friday 13 November, according to the Sudanese army.
Has the Sudan drone claim been verified?
No. The army has not identified the operator, and no independent source has confirmed that the aircraft came from Ethiopia.
How many people were killed in the Kurmuk strike?
Sixteen, according to Kurmuk’s governor, with six injured and several missing. The first report was nine dead.
What is Ethiopia’s position on the Sudan drone accusations?
Ethiopia denies them and accuses Sudan’s army of backing rebels linked to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which Sudan rejects.
