Drone Attacks Kill 104 in Civil War Chaos
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Sudan Conflict escalates: Drone Attacks Kill Over 100 Civilians in Kordofan
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A surge in drone attacks in Sudan’s Kordofan region has resulted in the deaths of at least 104 civilians, marking a grim escalation in the ongoing civil war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid support Forces (RSF). The attacks, concentrated in the central region, have triggered mass displacement and exacerbated a humanitarian crisis already strained by disease outbreaks.
The Recent Escalation
The armed conflict in Sudan has reached a new level of intensity with a series of drone attacks in the Kordofan region. At least 104 civilians have been killed,according to reports emerging last Friday. This deadly escalation occurs as the brutal civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) enters its third year, showing no indication of resolution.
The attacks began in early December and have focused on the central region of Sudan, following the RSF’s capture of the main military base in Babnusa. The ensuing fighting has displaced tens of thousands of people and overwhelmed already fragile health facilities grappling with outbreaks of cholera and dengue fever.
devastating Attacks in Kalogi and Babnusa
Severe reports detail the devastation in Kalogi,South Kordofan,where a kindergarten and a hospital were directly targeted. These attacks resulted in the deaths of 89 people, including a particularly tragic loss of 43 children and eight women. The deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure raises serious concerns about violations of international humanitarian law.
The fall of Babnusa to the RSF served as a catalyst for the increased attacks. the loss of this key military base emboldened the RSF and likely contributed to the escalation of violence in the surrounding areas.
International Response and Concerns
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk expressed “deep concern at this intensification of hostilities” and unequivocally stated that targeting medical facilities constitutes a “grave violation of international humanitarian law.” I express deep concern at this intensification of hostilities and warn that targeting medical facilities is a grave violation of international humanitarian law
, turk stated, as reported by Al Jazeera.
The international community has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and a return to negotiations, but these efforts have so far failed to yield any significant progress. The lack of a unified international response and the continued flow of arms into the region are exacerbating the conflict.
Background: The Sudanese Civil War
The current conflict stems from a power struggle between General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the Sudanese Armed Forces, and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the commander of the Rapid Support Forces. Both men were previously allies, having jointly orchestrated a coup in 2021 that derailed Sudan’s transition to civilian rule.
Tensions escalated over the integration of the RSF into the regular army, a key condition of a proposed political agreement. On April 15, 2023, fighting erupted in Khartoum and quickly spread to other parts of the country, plunging Sudan into a devastating civil war.
| Key Events in the Sudanese Conflict |
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