A drone attack on a traditional court in North Darfur has left at least 35 people dead, according to a Sudanese rights group, underscoring the escalating toll of the country's three-year civil war. The strike, attributed to the Sudanese army, hit a village under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), where civilians had gathered to resolve local disputes. Main Developments The Emergency Lawyers group, which has documented abuses by both sides in the conflict, reported that the strike occurred on Sunday at approximately 1pm local time (11:00 GMT) in the village of Garra al-Zawaya. The attack targeted a court building that serves as a traditional institution for settling local and tribal feuds, and the structure was damaged in the blast. Witnesses told the AFP news agency that the court session was being held under a tree with local community leaders present. Among the dead were four tribal leaders and two RSF commanders, according to an anonymous witness who spoke on condition of safety. Several other people were wounded in the attack. Read also: Pacific Northwest wildfires trigger mass evacuations Background The war in Sudan erupted in April 2023, pitting the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, against the Sudanese army, headed by his former ally, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Tens of thousands of people have been killed since the conflict began, with both sides committing widespread abuses. Garra al-Zawaya lies near the town of Kabkabiya, about 150km west of el-Fasher, the army's last stronghold in Darfur, which the RSF captured in October last year. United Nations investigators have said that violence linked to the RSF's siege and capture of el-Fasher bore the hallmarks of genocide. The RSF, which emerged from the Janjaweed militia accused of atrocities in Darfur in the early 2000s, has since consolidated control over much of the region. Why It Matters The attack highlights the increasing reliance on drone warfare by both sides, which has exacted a heavy civilian toll. According to the UN, more than 1,000 civilians were killed in drone strikes during the first five months of this year alone. The conflict has also displaced millions and created what the UN describes as the world's largest humanitarian crisis. Targeting a traditional court, where civilians gather for dispute resolution, raises serious concerns about compliance with international humanitarian law. The deaths of tribal leaders, who play a crucial role in local governance and conflict mediation, could further destabilize an already fractured region. What's Next Rights groups and international observers are likely to call for an independent investigation into the strike, although access to the area remains limited due to ongoing fighting. The continued use of drones by both the army and the RSF suggests that civilian casualties may persist as the conflict grinds on. With no political solution in sight, the humanitarian situation in Darfur and across Sudan is expected to worsen, leaving millions in need of urgent aid. The international community's response, including potential sanctions or peace initiatives, will be closely watched in the coming months.