Clashes in Sudan’s Kordofan region are escalating, with reports of intensified fighting and a growing humanitarian crisis. Military sources confirm ongoing aerial bombardments targeting rival factions, while the United Nations documents a surge in civilian casualties attributed to drone strikes.
According to military sources, the Sudanese army conducted airstrikes on Tuesday against Rapid Support Forces (RSF) positions in the towns of Janqaru and Lagawa, South Kordofan. The strikes reportedly destroyed combat vehicles and resulted in casualties among RSF personnel. The military claimed intelligence suggesting an imminent attack by the RSF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) on the city of Dilling prompted the aerial intervention.
Separately, the RSF allegedly shelled the city of Al-Rahd in North Kordofan with two projectiles. One strike reportedly targeted a location on the road connecting Al-Rahd and Al-Abyad, while another hit the western part of Al-Rahd, injuring one person. Additional reports indicate RSF drone strikes in the Samasim area south of Dilling and Abu Jubaiha in South Kordofan.
The fighting has prompted military movements around Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan, with the army and allied forces reportedly conducting patrols across multiple axes surrounding the city.
The UN Human Rights Office has documented the deaths of over 100 civilians in Kordofan due to drone strikes since December 4th. A single drone attack on a school in Kalogi, South Kordofan, resulted in the deaths of 89 civilians, primarily children. The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has expressed alarm over the increasing use of drones against civilian targets and called for the protection of civilians.
Kordofan, a region comprised of three states rich in oil, gold, and agricultural land, has become a major flashpoint in the conflict. It serves as a crucial link between areas controlled by the army in the north, east, and center, and the Darfur region, which has been under RSF control since late October.
The UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned of escalating risks to civilians in Kordofan due to the intensified hostilities. Reports of disease outbreaks and displacement are adding to the already dire situation. The humanitarian situation is rapidly deteriorating, requiring urgent attention and increased aid.
