Intensified Fighting Between the Sudanese Army and Rapid Support Forces Leads to the Death of 100 Civilians

SadaNews - Fighting continues in South Kordofan, Sudan, between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, as the army targeted Rapid Support positions in the towns of Jangaro and Lagawa with airstrikes on Tuesday evening, resulting in the destruction of combat vehicles and the deaths of members of the targeted forces.

The army indicated that the strikes were carried out after receiving information about the Rapid Support Forces and the Popular Movement's intention to attack the city of Dilling.

Earlier, the Rapid Support Forces shelled the city of Al-Rahad in North Kordofan with two rockets, targeted areas along the road linking Al-Rahad and Al-Obeid, as well as the western part of the city of Al-Rahad, where one person was injured. They also shelled areas in "Samasim" south of Dilling and "Abu Jbeha" in South Kordofan.

A joint force from the army and supporting forces launched a sweep campaign on three fronts around the city of Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan.

In a humanitarian context, the United Nations Human Rights Office documented the deaths of more than 104 civilians due to drone attacks since December 4, including 89 civilians who were killed in an attack on a school in the town of Kalogi, most of whom were children.

Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed his deep concern over the increasing use of drones against civilians, urging all parties to respect international humanitarian law and protect populations.

Kordofan has become a hotspot for conflict, encompassing three states rich in oil, gold, and agricultural land, and forms a link between areas controlled by the army in the north, east, and center, and the Darfur region under the control of the Rapid Support Forces since October.

The escalation of hostilities has led to the displacement of over 1,700 people from towns in South Kordofan, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Regarding health conditions, Iman Malik, the Minister of Health and Social Development in North Kordofan, stated that the spread of epidemics has increased due to the closure of about 30% of health facilities, with the state recording approximately 730 cases of dengue fever and 13,609 cases of cholera.

Satellite images have shown damage to the military hospital in Dilling due to shelling from the Rapid Support Forces, resulting in the deaths of 9 people and injuries to 17 others, including members of the medical staff, in addition to targeting civilian sites in Karqal and Samasim south of Dilling.

OCHA confirmed that at least 6 people were killed, and 12 others injured among healthcare workers due to the shelling.

The conflict in Sudan since April 2023 has become one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands and the displacement of millions.