A drone strike in Kalogi, South Kordofan state, reportedly on Thursday, resulted in the deaths of at least 50 individuals, including 33 children. The Sudan Doctors' Network and the Sudanese army have attributed responsibility for the attack, which targeted a kindergarten, to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The incident occurred amidst ongoing conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese military, which began in April 2023.
Incident Details
The attack in Kalogi targeted a kindergarten, according to reports from a doctors' group. Following the initial strike, paramedics arriving at the scene were reportedly targeted in a subsequent attack. Communication blackouts in the area have reportedly impeded comprehensive casualty reporting, with expectations that the death toll could increase. The RSF has not issued an immediate statement regarding the attribution of the Kalogi attack.
Broader Conflict Context
Sudan has been experiencing a civil war since April 2023, stemming from a power struggle between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, and the Sudanese military. These two forces were formerly allied. The conflict is currently concentrated in the oil-rich Kordofan states.
In separate incidents, the Sudanese military reportedly conducted aerial strikes on Sunday, killing at least 48 people, primarily civilians, in Kauda, also in South Kordofan. Additionally, the RSF accused the Sudanese army of carrying out its own drone attack on Friday, which allegedly targeted a market and a fuel depot at the Adre border crossing with Chad, located in the Darfur region.
Humanitarian and International Concerns
International organizations have voiced concerns regarding the escalating violence and its impact on civilians. UNICEF Representative for Sudan, Sheldon Yett, issued a statement emphasizing the impact of such incidents on children. Yett urged all conflicting parties to cease attacks immediately and called for safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance to reach affected populations.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk warned that the Kordofan region faces risks of severe human rights violations, comparable to those documented in el-Fasher.
Overall Conflict Impact and Allegations
Recent weeks have seen hundreds of civilians killed across the Kordofan states as the conflict intensified and reportedly shifted from Darfur following the RSF's capture of el-Fasher. Allegations concerning the RSF's operations in el-Fasher reportedly included civilian executions, rapes, and sexual assaults. Thousands of residents are reported to have fled, and an undetermined number are believed to have been killed or remain trapped.
According to the World Health Organization, the conflict since 2023 has resulted in over 40,000 deaths and displaced 12 million people. Aid groups have suggested that the actual death toll may be higher than official reports.