An attack carried out by the Rapid Support Forces in a march on the town of Kaloki in South Kordofan State in Sudan led to the killing of dozens of civilians, including children, according to what a local official told Agence France-Presse on Sunday. Since April 2023, the war in Sudan has caused the deaths of tens of thousands, the displacement of more than 12 million, and “the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, according to the United Nations.”

Published on: 07/12/2025 - 12:07 Last updated: 07/12/2025 - 12:49

Dozens of civilians were killed in an attack carried out by the Rapid Support Forces using a drone in South Kordofan State, Sudan, according to a local official said on Sunday.

The CEO of the Kalluki Administrative Unit, Issam El-Din Al-Sayyid, told the French Press Agency in a call via Starlink that the march was bombed three times on Thursday, “First in the kindergarten, then the hospital, and then it came back for the third time. It was bombed, and people were trying to save the children.” He held the Rapid Support Forces and its ally, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement - North, led by Abdel Aziz Al-Hilu, responsible for the attack.

More than ten children were killed

For its part, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said Thursday that the attack resulted in the killing of more than ten children between the ages of 5 and 7 years, while the army's Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimated the death toll at about 79 people, including 43 children.

However, information from the Kordofan region is difficult to independently verify, due to restrictions on access and ongoing insecurity.

“Killing children in their school is a horrific violation of children’s rights,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative in Sudan, urging all parties to stop attacks and allow humanitarian access.

It is noteworthy that after taking control of El Fasher, the last army stronghold in western Sudan, at the end of last October, the Rapid Support Forces moved their attack eastward, to the oil-rich Kordofan region.

The United Nations reported that more than 40,000 people were displaced from the region during the past month.

Preparing for an attempt to restore major cities

In addition, analysts believe that the Rapid Support attack aims to break the army’s defensive arc around central Sudan and pave the way for an attempt to recover major cities, including Khartoum, which the army regained in the spring.

Since April 2023, the war in Sudan has caused the deaths of tens of thousands, the displacement of more than 12 million, and “the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, according to the United Nations.”

France 24/AFP

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