Five people were killed in a drone attack during a military graduation ceremony in eastern Sudan, the country's army reported on Wednesday, July 31. Despite the deadly attack, top commander General Abdel Fattah Burhan was unharmed, according to a statement from the military. The incident occurred in the eastern part of the country near the Red Sea coast, where military leadership has been based due to ongoing conflict in the capital, Khartoum.

The attack comes amidst a prolonged conflict between the Sudanese military and the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been ongoing for over a year. The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has been vying for control of Sudan against the regular army forces.

The recent escalation in violence occurs just a week after General Dagalo expressed intentions to participate in cease-fire talks in Switzerland next month, brokered by the United States and Saudi Arabia. Dagalo emphasized that these talks could be a crucial step towards achieving peace and stability in Sudan and establishing a new state grounded in justice, equality, and a federal system of governance.

The conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese military has lasted for 16 months, causing widespread instability and turmoil throughout the nation. The international community remains concerned about the deteriorating situation and the potential for further violence.