UN Warns Escalating Attacks in Sudan Endanger Civilians and Aid Operations
The United Nations has issued a stark warning that escalating aerial attacks across Sudan are killing children, destroying schools, and striking humanitarian facilities, placing civilians and aid workers at grave and growing risk.
The most recent incident involved a drone strike on a mosque in Al-Rahad, North Kordofan, on Wednesday. According to reports, two children were killed and 13 others injured; all victims were students at an adjoining school. This attack followed hours after a primary school in Dilling, South Kordofan, was hit, causing further injuries.
The violence has directly impacted UN operations. A warehouse belonging to the World Food Programme (WFP) in Kadugli, South Kordofan, was struck by suspected rockets, causing significant damage to buildings and mobile storage units. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists in New York that drone strikes have also been reported in other parts of North, South, and West Kordofan. These attacks are occurring near critical supply routes, including the road linking El Obeid to Dilling and Kadugli, endangering both civilians and humanitarian convoys.
Dujarric emphasized the repeated violation of international humanitarian law. “The fact that we have to reiterate almost every day that civilians and civilian infrastructure, places of worship, schools and hospitals cannot and should not be targeted is a tragedy into itself,” he said. “We have to remind the parties of this almost every day and that they need to respect international humanitarian law.”
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with nearly 30 million people requiring assistance. Despite the dangers, humanitarian efforts continue. A major breakthrough was achieved on Tuesday when a 41-truck UN convoy carrying nearly 800 metric tonnes of food and supplies successfully travelled from El Obeid to Kadugli along a previously closed route. In South Kordofan, humanitarians have distributed nearly 600 metric tonnes of food to around 70,000 people, though ongoing displacement is rapidly depleting stocks. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports over 115,000 people have been displaced in the Kordofan region since late October.
The UN, alongside the African Union, IGAD, the Arab League, and the European Union—collectively known as the Quintet—issued a joint statement expressing “grave concern” over the conflict’s escalation, particularly in Kordofan and Blue Nile states. The statement cited deadly drone strikes, attacks on hospitals and schools, widespread displacement, and direct assaults on aid convoys. It referenced the prolonged siege and atrocities in El Fasher, North Darfur, as a warning of unheeded warnings.
The Quintet urged all parties to immediately de-escalate, especially ahead of Ramadan, and to respect international law. “Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected, international humanitarian law must be respected, and safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access to all areas in need must be ensured,” the statement concluded.
