The bombing in Kadugli, South Kordofan has resulted in at least 70 fatalities, predominantly women and children, according to HUDO Centre. The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North is accused of the attack, which they deny. Collapsing health services have worsened the humanitarian crisis, leading to additional deaths. The situation remains dire, with restricted access to medical care due to the ongoing siege.
The Sudanese Human Rights and Development Organisation (HUDO Centre) has reported that the death toll from a bombing in South Kordofan has reached 70, primarily affecting women and girls. The attacks occurred in the capital, Kadugli, on February 3, allegedly conducted by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) in response to artillery shelling from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The SPLM-N El Hilu leadership has denied these accusations and condemned the actions of the SAF as aggressive.
An earlier report indicated that at least 44 deaths and 28 injuries were reported due to the artillery bombardment. The SAF claims they successfully repelled the SPLM-N’s artillery before the incident. HUDO has expressed concern regarding the collapse of health services in Kadugli, which has exacerbated the situation and led to additional fatalities.
According to HUDO, following the SAF attack on SPLM-N positions, the subsequent artillery counterattack resulted in numerous civilian casualties. A shell struck a gathering of civilians near Kadugli church, causing immediate fatalities and injuries.
As of February 4, the reported death count increased to 54, with later assessments raising it to 70. Health facilities in Kadugli are reportedly lacking lifesaving medical supplies, which has contributed to fatalities among the injured. Of the deceased, 60 were women, including 51 minors and five children under the age of five.
The ongoing conflict has hindered medical services, with a dialysis unit closed for over five months due to operational strain, resulting in deaths among renal failure patients. The siege imposed by SPLM-N has also restricted movement, making access to healthcare outside of Kadugli impossible for many due to high costs. Efforts to obtain comments from both the SAF and SPLM-N regarding this conflict have yielded limited responses, highlighting the challenges in obtaining accurate information in the region.
The tragic bombing incidents in Kadugli illustrate the severe humanitarian crisis in South Kordofan, particularly the devastating impact on civilians, especially women and children. The lack of adequate health services exacerbates the situation, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention to address the healthcare collapse. Furthermore, the ongoing conflict poses significant challenges for information dissemination and accountability among the involved factions.
Original Source: www.dabangasudan.org
