At least 114 people, including 63 children, have died in recent drone attacks in Sudan’s South Kordofan state, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed.
The strikes, carried out last Thursday in Kagoli, struck a kindergarten, a rural hospital, and later a crowd that had rushed to assist the injured.
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said on X on Monday, "Repeated strikes in #Sudan's South Kordofan state hit a kindergarten and, at least three times, the nearby Kalogi Rural Hospital, killing 114 people, including 63 children, and injuring 35 people, according to @WHO's Attacks on Health Care monitoring system."
He added, "Disturbingly, paramedics and responders came under attack as they tried to move the injured from the kindergarten to the hospital."
Survivors are now being treated at Abu Jebaiha Hospital in South Kordofan. Tedros urged the international community and locals to provide blood and medical support while calling for immediate measures to protect civilians and health facilities.
"WHO deplores these senseless attacks on civilians and health facilities, and calls again for an end to the violence and increased access to humanitarian aid, including health. The Sudanese have suffered far too much. Ceasefire now!"
Humanitarian and rights organisations have pointed fingers at Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), describing the attacks as "a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians, especially children, and vital civilian infrastructure."
The deadly assaults come as Sudan’s internal conflict between the RSF and the national army enters its third year. Fighting has expanded into Kordofan, a key oil-producing region, after the RSF seized El-Fasher, Darfur’s last military stronghold.
The capture was reportedly accompanied by widespread violence, including executions, sexual assault, and attacks on civilians.
The WHO reports that the conflict has already killed over 40,000 people and displaced 12 million, although aid organisations warn the numbers are likely higher.
Since the RSF assumed control in Kordofan, more than 100,000 people have fled the region, according to the UN Migration Agency.
