WHO: Drone Strikes in Sudan's Kordofan Kill 114, Including 63 Children — Kindergarten, Rescuers and Hospital Hit

The World Health Organization said Monday that three drone strikes in Kagoli, Kordofan, last week killed 114 people, including 63 children. The strikes struck a kindergarten first and then targeted paramedics transporting survivors and a hospital, according to WHO and local monitoring groups.

What Happened

WHO reported the attacks occurred in three separate waves last Thursday. Communications outages initially made it difficult for responders to establish the full scope of casualties. Local groups that track violence — the Sudan Doctor’s Network and Emergency Lawyers — have attributed the strikes to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X: "We deplore these senseless attacks on civilians and health facilities, and call again for an end to the violence, and increased access to humanitarian aid, including health."

Context

The strikes come amid a two-year conflict between the RSF and Sudan’s regular military. WHO estimates more than 40,000 people have been killed and some 12 million displaced, though aid organizations warn the actual death toll is likely higher. Fighting has shifted to the oil-rich Kordofan region after the RSF seized el-Fasher, the last military stronghold in Darfur.

The takeover of el-Fasher has been accompanied by reports of executions, sexual violence and other atrocities. The UN Migration Agency says more than 100,000 people have fled the area since the RSF advance.

Humanitarian Impact

Humanitarian conditions in Kordofan are deteriorating: famine was declared last month in Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan, and Dilling has reportedly experienced comparable hunger conditions. International and local organizations are calling for immediate protection of civilians, unimpeded humanitarian access and accountability for attacks on health facilities and children.

Note: Attribution of responsibility for the strikes comes from local monitoring groups cited by WHO and other agencies; formal investigations and independent verification are needed to establish full accountability.