Sudan war violence escalates as RSF drone attack hits school and health centre in White Nile
A deadly drone strike in Sudan has killed at least 17 people, most of them schoolgirls, in the latest tragedy of the country’s ongoing conflict. The attack targeted a secondary school and nearby health care centre in the village of Shukeiri, located in White Nile province, on Wednesday.
Local medical officials said the strike was carried out by an explosive-laden drone, which is believed to have been launched by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary group fighting Sudan’s military government.
Schoolgirls and teachers among victims
According to Dr Musa al-Majeri, director of Douiem Hospital, the closest major medical facility to the village, at least 10 people were injured in the attack.
Three of the injured schoolgirls suffered critical wounds. Two underwent emergency surgery at Douiem Hospital, while another was transferred to the capital, Khartoum, for further treatment.
The Sudan Doctors Network, which first reported the incident, said the victims included two teachers and a health care worker. The group also stressed that no military presence was reported in the village, indicating the strike hit purely civilian locations.
Medical groups blame RSF
Both the Sudan Doctors Network and local hospital officials blamed the RSF for the drone attack. The paramilitary group has not responded to requests for comment.
Dr Razan Al-Mahdi, spokesperson for the medical network, condemned the strike, calling it a “horrific crime” and part of a series of attacks on civilian facilities in the region.
She said that within the past two days, several civilian sites were targeted, including a student dormitory and a power station in White Nile province.
Sudan war nearing three years
The Sudan war began in April 2023 after a power struggle between Sudan’s military leadership and the Rapid Support Forces erupted into open conflict in Khartoum and other parts of the country.
Since then, the war has devastated communities across Sudan, killing more than 40,000 people, according to United Nations estimates. However, humanitarian groups believe the true death toll may be far higher.
Much of the recent fighting has focused on the Kordofan region, where drone attacks and heavy clashes have been reported almost daily.
Reports of war crimes and mass killings
The conflict has been marked by severe human rights abuses, including mass killings, gang rapes, and attacks on civilians. These allegations are currently being investigated by the International Criminal Court as potential war crimes and crimes against humanity.
One of the most devastating episodes occurred in October, when RSF forces and allied Janjaweed fighters reportedly overran the Darfur city of El-Fasher.
According to the UN human rights office, around 6,000 people were killed within just three days during the assault. UN-commissioned experts said the attack showed “hallmarks of genocide.”
As the Sudan war continues, humanitarian organizations warn that civilian casualties are rising, and the country’s humanitarian crisis is worsening rapidly.
Source: The Guardian