Sudanese airstrike kills civilians in West Kordofan

March 23, 2024 (BABANUSA) – A Sudanese military airstrike on Friday tragically killed three civilians, including two children, and injured four others in West Kordofan state. The strike targeted the town of Shuaa, 10 kilometres north of Babanusa, a region already displaced by intense fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The escalation comes amidst a week of escalating clashes in Babanusa, headquarters of the 22nd Infantry Division. The RSF, a paramilitary group, has repeatedly attempted to capture the military base, prompting fierce defence from the army.

This ongoing conflict has displaced over 50,000 civilians, forcing them to seek refuge in overcrowded shelters with limited humanitarian resources. Government officials warn of an impending famine threatening those fleeing the violence.

“The airstrikes targeted Shuaa, where many Babanusa residents fled due to the recent fighting,” reported Al-Sadiq Othman, a member of the Babanusa emergency room, to Sudan Tribune. “Three people, including two children, were killed and four others injured.”

Meanwhile, displaced civilians who reached the town of Al-Dulaima reported that the RSF retreated to the outskirts of Babanusa in the past two days after sustained aerial bombardments by the army using explosive barrels.

This tragic incident highlights the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict in West Kordofan on innocent civilians. The UN Security Council called to de-escalate the violence, ensure the safety of civilians, and provide much-needed humanitarian assistance to those displaced by the fighting.