A recent drone attack in central Sudan has resulted in the deaths of at least 24 individuals, including eight children, as they fled from ongoing violence. The incident, attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), occurred near Er Rahad in North Kordofan province, according to the Sudan Doctors Network. The attack has drawn widespread condemnation and calls for accountability from the international community.

Details of the Attack
The RSF targeted a vehicle carrying displaced families who had escaped fighting in the Dubeiker area. Among the deceased were two infants, highlighting the tragic impact on vulnerable populations. The Sudan Doctors Network reported that several survivors were injured and transported to Er Rahad for medical treatment. However, the region is facing severe shortages of medical supplies, complicating the response to the casualties.

Humanitarian Efforts Under Threat
In a related incident, a drone strike on a World Food Programme (WFP) aid convoy in North Kordofan resulted in one death and multiple injuries. The convoy was en route to deliver critical food assistance to displaced individuals in El Obeid when it was attacked, destroying the aid supplies. Denise Brown, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, condemned the attack, stating that it undermined efforts to assist those facing hunger and displacement.

International Response
The attacks have prompted urgent calls for action from human rights organizations and international leaders. The Sudan Doctors Network described the drone strikes as a "flagrant violation of international humanitarian law" and a potential war crime. US adviser Massad Boulos expressed outrage over the targeting of humanitarian efforts and called for accountability from those responsible.

British Minister for International Development and Africa, Jenny Chapman, also condemned the attacks, emphasizing that "civilians are starving" and that aid workers should never be targeted. The Saudi Arabian foreign ministry issued a strong statement criticizing the RSF's actions, further illustrating the growing international concern over the situation in Sudan.

Ongoing Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
Sudan has been engulfed in conflict since April 2023, when a power struggle between the military and the RSF escalated into widespread violence, particularly in the capital, Khartoum. The ongoing clashes have resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and millions of displaced individuals, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis in the region.

Wrap-up
The recent drone attacks in Sudan have not only claimed innocent lives but have also severely disrupted humanitarian efforts aimed at alleviating the suffering of displaced populations. As calls for accountability grow louder, the international community faces pressure to take decisive action to protect civilians and ensure that humanitarian operations can continue unhindered.

Sources
theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team