UNITED NATIONS, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations is alarmed by the escalating drone attacks in Sudan that are endangering civilians, with a wave of strikes reported across several states in recent days, a UN spokesperson said Monday.

Speaking at a daily briefing, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, said that earlier on Monday, a drone was reportedly shot down over Khartoum International Airport, leading to flights being canceled.

In Al Jazirah State, local sources reported that five members of the same family, including women and children, were killed on Saturday. In White Nile State, a fuel station and tanker were hit near the city of Kosti. In North Kordofan State, the state television building in the state's capital, El Obeid, was damaged, said the spokesperson.

Drone attacks have also intensified in Darfur, he said, adding that strikes were reported Monday in West Darfur, and in Nyala, South Darfur, a strike two days earlier injured at least five people and damaged buildings near the offices of humanitarian organizations.

"The insecurity is forcing people to flee their homes," said Dujarric. "Over the past week, more than 2,600 people were displaced in North Kordofan and some 1,000 in South Kordofan, according to the International Organization for Migration."

Since the start of the war in Sudan over three years ago, nearly 9 million people are currently estimated to be internally displaced within the country, while some 4.5 million others have fled to neighboring countries, he said.

"We reiterate that parties must respect international humanitarian law at all times and that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected. Aid must be allowed to reach people quickly and safely, without obstruction," said the spokesperson. ■