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Deadly drone attack hits Sudan kindergarten
A drone strike on the town of Kalogi in Sudan's South Kordofan region killed at least 50 people, including 33 children, on Thursday, according to medical workers and the Sudanese army. The attack targeted a kindergarten, with witnesses reporting missiles fired from drones.
Accusations and counterclaims
The Sudan Doctors' Network and the army blamed the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary group fighting Sudan's military, for the attack. The RSF has not yet responded to the allegations.
In a separate incident on Friday, the RSF accused the army of striking a market and fuel depot at the Adre border crossing with Chad in Darfur. The Sudan War Monitor, a research group tracking the conflict, reported civilian casualties and extensive damage to the market. The military has not commented on the Darfur attack.
Civilian toll and humanitarian response
The army-aligned foreign ministry stated that the kindergarten in Kalogi was hit twice by drone missiles. Civilians and medics who rushed to the scene were also targeted, according to the ministry.
"Killing children in their school is a horrific violation of children's rights. Children should never pay the price of conflict."
Sheldon Yett, UNICEF spokesman
UNICEF urged all parties to halt attacks immediately and allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need. The RSF claimed the army's strike on Adre was intended to disrupt aid and commercial supplies entering Sudan.
Escalating conflict in Kordofan
South Kordofan, located between the capital Khartoum and Darfur, has become a key battleground in Sudan's civil war, which erupted in April 2023 after a power struggle between the RSF and the army. The Kordofan region, home to nearly eight million people, has seen intensified fighting as the army advances toward Darfur.
Independent verification of the reported attacks remains unavailable.
