Drone Attacks on Sudanese Kindergarten, Hospital Kill Dozens

A brutal drone strike targeted the army-held town of Kalogi in Sudan's South Kordofan on Thursday, killing dozens of civilians. The attack hit a kindergarten and a hospital, with a third strike targeting rescuers attempting to help the victims, according to local official Essam al-Din al-Sayed.

Al-Sayed blamed the assault on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North faction, led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu. The violence is part of the ongoing conflict between the army and RSF, which has raged since April 2023, leaving tens of thousands dead and nearly 12 million displaced.

While independent verification is difficult due to limited access and ongoing violence, the UN children's agency confirmed that over 10 children aged 5-7 were killed, with the army's foreign ministry reporting a total of 79 dead, including 43 children. UNICEF condemned the attack, calling it a horrific violation of children's rights and urging an end to hostilities and improved humanitarian access.

The RSF's offensive, which recently captured El-Fasher, the army's last stronghold in western Sudan, has continued its eastward push into the oil-rich Kordofan region. Thousands have fled in the past month, with analysts noting that the RSF's goal is to break the army's defenses and advance toward central Sudan, including the capital, Khartoum.