Sudanese medical authorities announced in an urgent statement that at least 24 people were killed and others seriously injured in an attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on areas in North Kordofan state. This tragic incident is the latest in a series of escalating violence in Sudan, exacerbating the suffering of civilians in areas that have become battlegrounds.
Details of the attack and its field repercussions
Field reports from Sudanese Doctors indicate that the attack targeted populated areas, resulting in a high number of civilian casualties. Medical personnel in North Kordofan are facing immense challenges in managing the influx of wounded, amidst a severe shortage of medical supplies and life-saving medications, as well as widespread disruptions to essential services such as electricity and water due to ongoing bombing and clashes.
Background to the conflict: A crisis that has been ongoing since April 2023
This incident cannot be separated from the broader context of the ongoing war in Sudan, which erupted on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti). This power struggle has devolved into a protracted war of attrition, devastating the country's infrastructure and displacing millions, both internally and to neighboring countries.
The strategic importance of North Kordofan
North Kordofan State and its capital, El Obeid, hold paramount strategic importance in the Sudanese conflict; they serve as a vital link between the capital, Khartoum, and the Darfur region to the west. Controlling supply routes in this area is a crucial military objective for both sides of the conflict, making the state's towns and villages vulnerable to frequent attacks and attempts at territorial control, for which innocent civilians bear the brunt.
Humanitarian impact and international stance
This war has caused one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with the United Nations and international aid organizations warning of the risk of famine threatening millions of Sudanese. The targeting of civilians in North Kordofan further complicates the situation, amid repeated international and regional calls for a ceasefire and the protection of civilians. However, diplomatic efforts, including the Jeddah talks, have so far failed to establish a lasting truce to end the suffering of the Sudanese people.
