Storyline: Imported drones have increasingly flooded the conflict zones in Sudan, resulting in a significant rise in casualties and damaging civilian infrastructure. Since the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began in April 2023, these unmanned aerial vehicles have evolved into powerful weapons for both sides. At least 200 civilians in the Northeast African country have lost their lives due to drone attacks so far, and the situation is only getting worse, according to reports by human rights groups. This year, drones have begun to target critical infrastructures such as bridges, hospitals and power plants across the country, severely crippling agricultural centers that depend on electricity for irrigation. Sudan has officially lodged a complaint with the UN Security Council, accusing the United Arab Emirates of supplying the RSF with military drones despite an arms embargo. Reports indicate that Sudan's army also uses drones to hit RSF targets in Khartoum, Darfur and Central Sudan, with some strikes hitting civilian neighborhoods. Across Africa, drones are redefining the landscape of warfare, with a devastating effect on civilians. Armed drones are operational in at least six countries across the continent, namely Ethiopia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan, according to a report titled "Death on Delivery" by Drone Wars UK, an organization studying armed drones and other new lethal military technology. Nearly 1,000 civilians have been killed and hundreds more injured as a result of drone strikes in Africa in three years leading up to Nov 2024, according to the report. Shotlis: FILE: Sudan - Date Unknown: 1. Various of houses, smoke billowing; Sudan - Recent: 2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic, dubbed in English) Abdulmoniem Abu Idrees, independent analyst: "At the beginning of the war, the drones in use were basic, cheap, easy to operate, and limited in range. But in recent months, the RSF has stepped up its game, deploying more advanced, long-range drones as a show of force, signaling that nowhere is truly safe and that the conflict could spread even further." FILE: Khartoum, Sudan - July 5, 2023: 3. Various of dense smoke rising from conflict zone; Sudan - Recent: 4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic, dubbed in English) Alrasheed Mohamed, independent analyst: "Drones have become a game changer in military strategies. They're shifting the way warfare is conducted. In Sudan, the usage of drone has security, economic and social impacts. And we saw how recent attacks in so-called safe regions have impacted many aspects of life, including food security, power supply and the stability of communities." FILE: Sudan - Date Unknown: 5. Collapsed buildings; FILE: Metropolitan Area of Khartoum, Sudan - 2023: 6. Burnt car, rubble; FILE: Greater Capital Area, Sudan - 2023: 7. Various of charred vehicles. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland/Al-Arabiya TV/Middle East Broadcasting Center]