...UN World Food Programme vehicles destroyed in drone strike, exacerbating famine fears in Darfur

In a shocking escalation of Sudan's ongoing civil war, a World Food Programme (WFP) convoy was reportedly attacked by a drone strike on Wednesday, August 21, 2025, near the town of Mellit in the Darfur region. The incident has sparked international outrage and raised serious concerns about the safety of humanitarian workers in the conflict-ridden nation.

The attack, which resulted in the destruction of three trucks carrying vital supplies to famine-stricken areas, has been met with conflicting claims from the warring factions. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which controls Mellit, has accused the Sudanese army of carrying out the bombing. However, military officials have vehemently denied any involvement in the incident.

A UN agency representative confirmed the attack, stating, "A drone strike hit the convoy, causing three lorries in our 16-vehicle fleet to catch fire and be completely destroyed." Miraculously, all staff members traveling with the convoy escaped unharmed.

This latest assault on humanitarian operations comes as Sudan grapples with one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. The country has been embroiled in a brutal civil war since April 2023, when a power struggle between the army and the RSF erupted into full-scale conflict.

The WFP convoy was en route to a village near Mellit, described as a "famine-affected area" approximately 90 kilometers northwest of el-Fasher. The latter, the army's last stronghold in Darfur, has been under RSF siege for over a year, intensifying the humanitarian catastrophe in the region.

In response to the attack, the WFP issued a statement emphasizing, "Humanitarian staff and assets must never be a target," and urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law. This incident follows a disturbing pattern of violence against aid workers, with five humanitarian staff members killed in a similar attack in el-Fasher just two months ago.

The conflict has had devastating consequences for Sudan's population. Official figures indicate that tens of thousands have perished, while a staggering 12 million people have been displaced from their homes. The refugee crisis has spilled over into neighboring countries, with more than 4.5 million people, predominantly women and children, seeking refuge abroad.

As accusations fly between the warring factions, both sides face allegations of using starvation as a weapon of war by impeding aid delivery and looting food supplies. The international community watches with growing concern as the humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, with no clear resolution in sight.

This latest attack on a WFP convoy serves as a stark reminder of the perilous conditions faced by aid workers and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to Sudan's ongoing conflict. As the world grapples with multiple humanitarian crises, the plight of Sudan's people remains a testament to the devastating impact of prolonged civil war on civilian populations.