At least 44 civilians were killed and 28 injured in an artillery attack by SPLM-N rebels in Kadugli, South Kordofan. Governor Mohamed Ibrahim condemned the attack, while the Sudanese army reported regaining control. The conflict has escalated since April 2023, resulting in severe humanitarian challenges, with thousands dead and millions displaced.
In an attack on Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan state, at least 44 civilians have been killed and 28 others injured, as reported by Sudanese officials on Monday. The rebel faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, is accused of launching artillery strikes on the city, resulting in casualties among women, children, and notable community figures, including Imam Nizar Mohamed Tom, a local religious leader.
South Kordofan Governor Mohamed Ibrahim Abdel Karim has condemned the assault, labeling it as brutal aggression against innocent civilians. He stated that the Sudanese army effectively countered the attack, inflicting significant losses on the SPLM-N in terms of personnel, equipment, and seized munitions. Military Commander Faisal Mukhtar also reported that stability had been restored in the Kadugli area following the confrontation.
The SPLM-N has been engaged in a conflict with the Sudanese military in South Kordofan and Blue Nile regions since 2011, advocating for special autonomy. This recent escalation occurs amidst an ongoing brutal conflict throughout Sudan, particularly between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been ongoing since April 2023, with severe humanitarian implications.
According to estimates from the United Nations and Sudanese authorities, the conflict has claimed over 20,000 lives and displaced nearly 14 million people. Other assessments suggest the death toll could reach as high as 130,000. International organizations have raised alarms about an impending humanitarian disaster, as fighting expands to various regions of Sudan, leading many toward starvation and death due to food shortages.
The conflict in Sudan, particularly in regions like South Kordofan, has roots in longstanding political struggles and demands for autonomy by various factions. The SPLM-N has been involved in efforts to secure rights and recognition for specific regions, leading to ongoing military confrontations with government forces. The recent attack in Kadugli adds to a cycle of violence that has worsened the humanitarian crisis in the nation, characterized by extensive displacement and loss of life since the outbreak of renewed hostilities in April 2023.
The recent attack by the SPLM-N in Kadugli, which resulted in significant civilian casualties, highlights the ongoing and escalating conflict in Sudan. The government’s reaction aims to stabilize the situation, but the broader context reveals a dire humanitarian crisis as fighting persists across the country, raising concerns of widespread starvation and suffering among the displaced population.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
