In a devastating escalation of violence in southern Sudan, a drone strike targeting two fuel stations in the city of Kosti has left five people dead and nine others wounded. The Sudan Doctors Network reported the incident on Tuesday, highlighting the increasing danger to civilian infrastructure in White Nile State.
The medical group has accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of carrying out the attack. In a stern statement, the network described the strike as a blatant disregard for civilian lives, warning that such targeted attacks are severely exacerbating an already dire humanitarian and health crisis across the region.
While the RSF and Sudanese authorities have not provided immediate comments on the Kosti strike, the event follows a pattern of intensified aerial attacks. Only a day prior, the Sudanese government reported a drone strike at Khartoum International Airport; although no casualties were reported there and air traffic has since resumed, the event has sparked diplomatic friction. Sudan's Foreign Ministry has recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia for consultations, alleging Ethiopia's involvement in the airport attack—a claim that Addis Ababa has denied.
The violence is not limited to the south. Recent days have seen a surge in drone activity across Khartoum and Al Jazira states, resulting in dozens of civilian casualties. Reports indicate a strike on a vehicle west of the capital killed five civilians last Saturday, while another attack targeted a family in Al Jazira State earlier this week.
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) over the integration of the paramilitary group into the regular army, has evolved into one of the world's most severe humanitarian disasters. To date, tens of thousands have been killed and approximately 13 million people have been displaced from their homes.
While the RSF maintains that it seeks to protect civilians, rights groups and government authorities continue to document a recurring pattern of strikes on civilian sites, further complicating the path toward stability in the region.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
