Foreign support, drones fuel Sudan war and possible war crimes, UN probe says - Reuters

A United Nations fact‑finding mission released a report on Thursday that details the role of foreign support in sustaining the conflict in Sudan. The investigation, conducted by a team mandated by the UN, examined the flow of weapons, military technology, fighters and logistical networks that have been channeled to the warring parties.

The report finds that foreign fighters and external assistance have bolstered the combat capabilities of both sides. It identifies the provision of advanced weaponry, including unmanned aerial systems, as a key factor that has enabled the parties to maintain and expand their operations. The presence of foreign combatants and the movement of supplies through regional networks have been documented as contributing to the persistence of hostilities.

According to the findings, the influx of foreign arms and expertise has allowed the warring factions to conduct strikes at greater distances, reaching deeper into civilian‑populated areas. The enhanced reach of military operations, facilitated by drones and other technology, has increased the scale and intensity of attacks beyond previously reported patterns.

The mission warns that some of the documented attacks may constitute violations of international humanitarian law and could amount to war crimes. It also notes that the amplified military capacity, driven by external support, has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, worsening displacement, food insecurity and civilian casualties.

The report calls for greater scrutiny of the channels through which weapons and fighters are supplied to Sudan and urges accountability for actions that may breach the laws of armed conflict. It underscores the need for coordinated international efforts to halt the flow of foreign support that is fueling the war and deepening its impact on the civilian population.