33 children killed in drone attack by Sudan paramilitaries, doctors say
A drone strike carried out by Sudanese paramilitary forces has caused one of the deadliest civilian tragedies since the conflict escalated, killing 50 people, including 33 children, according to medical groups in the region. The attack struck a kindergarten in the town of Kalogi in South Kordofan state, turning what should have been a place of safety and learning into a scene of horror. The Sudan Doctors’ Network reported that the victims included toddlers and young schoolchildren, many of whom died instantly as the drone hit the building without warning.
Paramedics struck during rescue efforts
As rescue workers rushed to the scene to pull survivors from the rubble, they came under fire in what doctors described as a second unexpected attack. The Sudan Doctors’ Network said paramedics were deliberately targeted while providing emergency care, a move that further complicated rescue operations and increased the death toll. Medical teams have been working with limited supplies, and the targeting of first responders has made it even more difficult to treat the wounded or evacuate survivors to nearby clinics.
Rights groups warn that such attacks violate international humanitarian law, which prohibits targeting medical personnel and facilities. The deliberate nature of the second strike has raised alarm among humanitarian organisations monitoring the conflict.
Rights groups report attack on a third civilian site
Emergency Lawyers, an organisation documenting violence against civilians, confirmed the second attack on paramedics and reported yet another strike on a third civilian location near the kindergarten and the rescue site. The group said the additional bombardment has deepened fear among residents and made evacuation efforts more dangerous. Many families in the area have fled their homes, worried that more attacks could follow.
The group’s statement underscored the growing pattern of assaults on civilian infrastructure in the region. Homes, markets, health centres and schools have all been hit during months of intensified fighting, making daily life increasingly unstable for those who remain in South Kordofan.
A worsening humanitarian crisis
Humanitarian agencies have been struggling to access conflict zones across Sudan, where fighting between rival military factions has displaced millions of people. South Kordofan, already a region with limited medical and logistical support, is facing further strain as more civilians flee the violence. Aid workers say that food shortages, blocked roads and communication disruptions are compounding the crisis.
Doctors working in Kalogi have described scenes of chaos as families search for missing relatives and attempt to identify victims. With hospitals already overwhelmed, many of the injured have been treated outdoors. Some paramedics, fearing further attacks, have relocated to safer areas while still attempting to offer medical assistance.
Global calls for accountability and immediate protection
The international community has reacted with outrage as details of the attack emerge. Human rights advocates are calling for an urgent investigation and for stronger measures to protect civilians. The intentional targeting of a kindergarten and emergency responders has renewed pressure on global leaders to step up diplomatic efforts to halt the violence.
Observers say the drone strike reflects a troubling escalation in Sudan’s conflict, where advanced weaponry is increasingly being used in densely populated areas. The tragedy in Kalogi may widen calls for sanctions, ceasefire negotiations and humanitarian corridors that can safeguard children and other vulnerable groups.
As families in South Kordofan grieve unimaginable losses, medical and humanitarian workers continue to appeal for safety guarantees and access to deliver life saving aid. The events in Kalogi serve as a grim reminder of the urgent need for international action to prevent further atrocities.
