At least 79 people, including 43 children, were killed in a drone strike carried out by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in South Kordofan province, authorities confirmed on Friday. The attack, which occurred in the town of Kalogi, targeted a kindergarten, a hospital, and densely populated residential areas. Four missiles were reportedly launched from RSF drones, leaving 38 others injured.

The South Kordofan state government condemned the assault as a 'heinous crime' allegedly committed by RSF-backed Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North. UNICEF strongly denounced the attack, calling it a grave violation of children’s rights, noting that over ten victims were between five and seven years old. Local officials urged the international community to classify the RSF as a terrorist organization and take firm action to halt such violence.

The incident underscores the escalating brutality of Sudan’s civil war, which began in April 2023 between the RSF and the national army. According to the World Health Organization, the conflict has already claimed at least 40,000 lives and displaced around 12 million people nationwide.