Millions of people have been forced to flee their homes in war-torn Sudan (file photo) [AFP via Getty Images]
A drone attack on the town of Kalogi in Sudan's South Kordofan region reportedly hit a kindergarten, killing at least 50 people, including 33 children.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group fighting the army in Sudan's civil war, were blamed for Thursday's attack by a medical organization, the Sudan Doctors Network and the army.
There was no comment from RSF.
The RSF, in turn, blamed the army for a drone attack on Friday in a market in the Darfur region, and on a fuel depot at the Adre border crossing with Chad.
Sudan has been devastated by war since April 2023, when a power struggle broke out between the RSF and the army, who were previously allies.
The reports could not be independently verified.
According to the army-linked Foreign Ministry, the kindergarten was hit twice by missiles from drones.
Civilians and doctors who ran to the school were also attacked.
Responding to reports of the attack in Kalogi, a spokesman for the UN children's agency UNICEF said: “The killing of children in their school is a horrific violation of children's rights.”
“Children should never pay the price for conflict,” added Sheldon Yett.
The agency, he said, called on “all parties to immediately stop these attacks and ensure safe and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance to those who desperately need it.”
The RSF accused the army of attacking the Adré crossing because it was being used to “deliver aid and commercial supplies.”
The attack resulted in civilian casualties and significant damage to the market, according to Sudan War Monitor, a group of researchers that monitors the conflict.
The military did not immediately comment on the reports from Darfur.
Sandwiched between Sudan's capital Khartoum and Darfur, the region, consisting of North Kordofan, South Kordofan and West Kordofan, has been the front line of the civil war.
The battle for the Kordofans, who have a population of nearly eight million, has intensified as the army advances towards Darfur.
