Khartoum: The United Nations (UN) has expressed grave concern about the escalation of drone attacks in Sudan that threatens civilians and disrupts aid.

According to Qatar News Agency, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a press briefing that insecurity is forcing people to flee their homes, noting that over the past week, more than 2,600 people were displaced in North Kordofan State and some 1,000 people in South Kordofan State, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

He continued to say that nearly 9 million people are currently estimated to be internally displaced within Sudan, while about 4.5 million others have fled to neighboring countries since the outbreak of the war there over three years ago.

The UN reiterated that warring parties must respect international humanitarian law at all times, and that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected. It also stressed that aid must be able to reach people who need it in a sustained and unhindered manner.