At least seventeen individuals, the majority of them schoolgirls, were tragically killed on Wednesday when an explosive-laden drone, attributed to Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, targeted a secondary school and a health care center in the village of Shukeiri, located within the White Nile province.
Details of the Attack and Casualties
According to Dr. Musa al-Majeri, the director of Douiem Hospital, which serves as the nearest major medical facility to the village, the strike also resulted in at least ten people being wounded. Among the injured, three girls sustained serious injuries; two underwent surgeries at the hospital, while the third was evacuated to the capital city of Khartoum for further medical attention.
Civilian Targets and Absence of Military Presence
The war-tracking Sudan Doctors Network initially reported the strike, confirming that those killed included two teachers and a health care worker. The group emphasized that there was no military presence in the village at the time of the attack, highlighting the targeting of civilian infrastructure.
Both the medical group and Dr. al-Majeri have squarely blamed the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces for the deadly strike. The RSF has not responded to requests for comment regarding the incident.
Continuation of Violations in the Conflict
Dr. Razan Al-Mahdi, a spokeswoman for the medical group, stated, "This horrific crime represents a continuation of the violations committed by the RSF in the White Nile." She added that the paramilitaries have attacked several civilian facilities over the past two days, including a student dormitory and a power station, further escalating the humanitarian crisis.
Context of Sudan's Nearly Three-Year War
The strike in Shukeiri marks the latest deadly incident in Sudan's devastating conflict, which has persisted for nearly three years. The nation descended into chaos in April 2023 when a power struggle between the military and the RSF erupted into open fighting in Khartoum and other regions across the country.
According to United Nations figures, the war has claimed the lives of more than 40,000 people, although aid groups caution that the actual death toll could be significantly higher, potentially many times greater than the official estimates.
Pattern of Atrocities and International Investigations
The fighting has been particularly intense in the Kordofan region, where daily reports of deadly attacks, predominantly carried out by drones, have become commonplace. The conflict has been marred by widespread atrocities, including mass killings, gang rapes, and other severe crimes.
These acts are currently under investigation by the International Criminal Court as potential war crimes and crimes against humanity, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Recent Escalation in Darfur
In a particularly alarming development, the most recent atrocities occurred in October when the RSF and its Janjaweed allies overran the Darfur city of el-Fasher. According to UN-commissioned experts, the RSF attack in that region bore "hallmarks of genocide," raising international concerns.
The UN's Human Rights Office reported that at least 6,000 people were killed in just three days during the October violence in el-Fasher, illustrating the extreme brutality and rapid escalation of the conflict in certain areas.
This ongoing war continues to devastate civilian populations, with attacks on schools and health centers becoming a grim reality, as evidenced by the recent drone strike in Shukeiri.
