At least 15 civilians, including seven children, were killed in drone attacks on the city of Kadugli in Sudan’s South Kordofan state, local medical groups said, after the Sudanese army announced it had broken a long-standing siege on the city.

The Sudan Doctors Network reported that Rapid Support Forces (RSF) carried out the attacks using unmanned aerial vehicles, striking residential neighborhoods and a health facility.

According to the network, the first strike hit a medical center, killing eight civilians, five of them children, and wounding 11 others. A subsequent attack reportedly targeted the Kashmir neighborhood, where seven more civilians were killed, bringing the total death toll to 15.

Attacks follow lifting of siege

The strikes came shortly after Sudan Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan announced that army forces had broken the siege on Kadugli, reopening the Kadugli–Dilling road and ending what he described as a two-year blockade of the city.

International media have confirmed that RSF drone attacks struck Kadugli following the army’s advance, with multiple civilian casualties reported, including children. Some outlets cited lower initial casualty figures, while later local reports documented additional deaths as rescue and recovery efforts continued.

“Clear violation of international humanitarian law”

The Sudan Doctors Network condemned the targeting of civilians, health facilities, and residential areas, describing the attacks as a clear violation of international humanitarian law. The group warned that such strikes undermine efforts to shield civilians from the ongoing conflict.

The Sudanese army, for its part, stated that RSF forces suffered heavy losses during the operation to lift the siege, claiming the route into Kadugli was secured after what it called an intense and decisive battle.

Humanitarian Crisis Persists

Kadugli has faced a severe humanitarian crisis during the prolonged siege, with shortages of food, medicine, and basic supplies forcing thousands of civilians to flee. Alongside the RSF, forces linked to Abdulaziz al-Hilu’s SPLM-North have also been reported to operate in the area.

On the diplomatic front, a senior adviser to the US president for the Middle East and Africa said work is under way on a document that could pave the way for a humanitarian ceasefire, though continued attacks on civilians indicate that the war in Sudan remains far from over.(ILKHA)