Death toll from latest RSF drone strike in Sudan's South Kordofan rises to 117

Sudanese authorities in South Kordofan State have confirmed that the death toll from a drone strike on Thursday, December 4, has risen to 114, with 71 others injured. The number of child victims has reached 63.

The Wali of South Kordofan said in a press statement on Sunday that some of the injured—among them children and other civilians—remain in critical condition but expressed hope that the toll would not rise further as they receive treatment.

Prime Minister Dr. Kamil Idris held a phone call with the families of the dead and wounded in the town of Kalogi in Gadir Locality, state news agency SUNA reports.

Idris also condemned the shelling of a kindergarten and a hospital in Kalogi, describing the attack as a “barbaric and savage act”. SUNA reports the prime minister called the incident “a fully fledged war crime”, adding that the militia responsible has met all criteria for designation as a terrorist organisation due to its deliberate targeting of civilians, including preschool children.

Calls to international community

The South Kordofan state government urged the international community and human rights groups to take a firm stance to end such violations, designate the RSF as a “terrorist organisation”, and hold its allies accountable for what it described as “inhumane crimes”.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) condemned the drone attack as “a horrific violation of children’s rights.” In a statement, UNICEF said more than 10 children aged between 5 and 7 were among the victims.

“Children should never pay the price of conflict. UNICEF urges all parties to stop these attacks immediately and allow safe, unhindered access for humanitarian assistance to reach those in desperate need,” UNICEF Representative for Sudan Sheldon Yett said.
“The killing and maiming of children and attacks on schools and hospitals are grave violations of children’s rights.”

UNICEF added that the attack occurred “amid a sharp deterioration in security across the Kordofan States since early November, driving widespread displacement and deepening humanitarian needs.”

Increased fighting in Kordofan

There has been no comment from the RSF regarding the attack.

The three Kordofan states—North, West, and South—have witnessed weeks of intense fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF, prompting tens of thousands of people to flee.

Of Sudan’s 18 states, the RSF controls all five states of the Darfur region in the west, except for parts of northern North Darfur that remain under army control. The army holds most of the remaining 13 states in the south, north, east, and central regions, including the capital, Khartoum.

The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which began in April 2023, has killed at least 40,000 people and displaced 12 million, according to the World Health Organization.