Paris, France
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
October was the deadliest month for civilians in Sudan since the start of the fratricidal war between the military and paramilitaries in April 2023, according to an analysis of data from the NGO ACLED, which tracks conflict casualties around the world. In one month, it recorded 1,545 civilian deaths. Including all victims, the NGO counted more than 3,000 deaths last month, almost as many as in October 2024 (3,240, including 966 civilian deaths) when paramilitaries stepped up violent actions in the state of Al-Jazira (center). ACLED counts victims by compiling data from various selected sources it deems reliable (media, institutions, local partners).
In total, since mid-April 2023, the NGO has recorded nearly 49,800 deaths in Sudan, including nearly 15,300 civilians. Half of the deaths were recorded in the regions of North Darfur and Khartoum (approximately 14,000 and 11,200). Several hundred were recorded in the disputed region of Abyei, which is claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan.
This toll is not exhaustive, as many victims are not recorded. The war has also displaced millions of people and caused the worst humanitarian crisis currently underway, according to the UN.
Since April 15, 2023, Sudan has been torn apart by a war between the army, which controls the east and north of the country, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF, paramilitary), now in control of the whole of Darfur.
After an 18-month siege, on May 26, the RSF took El Fasher, the last major city in Darfur (west) that had remained outside their control. In El Fasher and the surrounding areas alone, ACLED recorded 2,176 deaths in October alone, including 1,385 civilians. The NGO warns that this figure could change in the coming weeks due to communication difficulties linked to the situation. According to other sources linked to the pro-army government, more than 2,000 civilians were killed in the city at the end of October.
In addition, the use of drones is growing in Sudan.
In the first ten months of 2025, the NGO recorded more than 700 violent incidents where the use of drones was mentioned, three times more than in 2023. Of these attacks, 341 were air strikes only, with no ground combat, and alone accounted for nearly 1,900 deaths, including more than 1,400 in 2025.
Humaniterre with AFP
