At least 44 civilians killed and 28 injured in SPLM-N’s attack on Kadugli, South Kordofan. The assault involved shelling civilians, including children and an imam. Sudanese authorities condemned the attack, stating military forces responded effectively. The ongoing conflict has led to significant casualties and widespread displacement across Sudan, raising humanitarian concerns.
At least 44 civilians lost their lives and 28 were injured during an attack by a rebel faction, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), in Kadugli, South Kordofan, on Monday. This attack was led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu’s SPLM-N, which has been waging conflict against the Sudanese army since 2011, seeking special status for South Kordofan and Blue Nile regions. Authorities reported that SPLM-N shelled Kadugli, resulting in civilian casualties, including women, children, and religious figures.
Governor Mohamed Ibrahim Abdel Karim expressed his condemnation of the attack, labeling it as a “brutal aggression against civilians.” Following the assault, he indicated that the Sudanese military responded effectively, inflicting substantial casualties on the rebel forces, seizing their vehicles and weaponry. The military commander of the 14th Infantry Division, Faisal Mukhtar, asserted that order had been restored in the area.
The escalation of violence in South Kordofan coincides with the Sudanese army’s increasing dominance in other regions, namely Khartoum and Al Jazirah, as it combats the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This ongoing warfare has led to over 20,000 fatalities and the displacement of nearly 14 million people, as cited by the UN and Sudanese officials. Some estimates from a US research institution suggest the true death toll could be as high as 130,000.
International agencies are raising alarms over a potential humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing conflict that has expanded across 13 of Sudan’s 18 states, compounded by severe food shortages. Millions are reported to be at risk of starvation, with urgent assistance needed to avert a catastrophe.
The conflict in South Kordofan primarily involves the SPLM-N, which has been engaged in armed struggle against the Sudanese government forces since 2011, advocating for greater autonomy and rights for the regions of South Kordofan and Blue Nile. This ongoing conflict is part of a larger civil war in Sudan, which escalated significantly in April 2023 with the emergence of fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces. The humanitarian implications of this war are dire, with a massive displacement of populations and increased susceptibility to famine due to disrupted agricultural and economic activities.
The deadly attack by SPLM-N on Kadugli highlights the ongoing violence and instability in South Kordofan and the broader conflict in Sudan. With thousands already killed and millions displaced, urgent international humanitarian assistance is necessary to address the escalating crisis and prevent further catastrophe. As regional military dynamics continue to shift, the situation remains precarious for the civilian population affected by this protracted conflict.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
