Sudan Pre-School Massacre: Drone Strikes Kill 46 Children In South Kordofan, Over 116 Civilians Die

A devastating drone attack in Sudan’s South Kordofan state has left at least 116 civilians dead, including 46 young children, after strikes hit a pre-school and other civilian sites in Kalogi locality, officials and international organisations said.

According to local authorities, the attack was carried out by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in coordination with their allies from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North (SPLM-N). The strikes targeted a kindergarten, a hospital and rescue workers attempting to help the wounded, triggering widespread panic across the region.

Children Among Victims

Essam al-Din al-Sayed, head of the Kalogi administrative unit, said via satellite communication that the first drone strike hit a pre-school, killing dozens of children instantly. A second strike reportedly hit a nearby hospital, while a third targeted civilians and volunteers who rushed to rescue survivors. He attributed the assault to the RSF and the SPLM-N faction led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu.

UNICEF’s representative for Sudan, Sheldon Yett, condemned the killings, calling the attack a “horrific violation of children’s rights” and urging all sides to immediately stop targeting civilian areas.

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African Union Condemns Attack

African Union Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf issued a strong statement condemning the reported attacks in Kalogi, saying he was appalled by the repeated and escalating atrocities committed against civilians in the region. He called for restraint and accountability as international concern mounted.

The RSF had pledged to halt attacks to allow aid delivery, but local officials said the Kalogi strike represented a clear breach of that commitment. The RSF is also accused of coordinating the assault with the SPLM-N, shattering expectations that the ceasefire could reduce civilian suffering. 

Kordofan has become one of the key battlefields in Sudan’s civil war, particularly after the fall of el-Fasher, once the last major city in Darfur under army control. Its strategic position between RSF-held Darfur and government-controlled regions makes it critical for both sides.

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