UNICEF Reports At Least 13 Children Killed in North Darfur Fighting

The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and rival paramilitary forces in North Darfur has tragically claimed the lives of at least 13 children, with four others wounded, according to UNICEF. These children, aged between 6 and 17, were among the victims of air strikes launched by the Sudanese army targeting a market in Al Kuma, about 70 kilometers east of El Fasher, North Darfur’s capital.

Local reports, including the Sudan Tribune and Central Observatory for Human Rights, indicate that the strikes also affected the town of Mellit, killing at least 45 people and injuring dozens. Additionally, Hamrat al-Sheikh in North Kordofan was struck, an area previously untouched by the conflict. This escalation has drawn sharp criticism from former Sovereignty Council member Mohammed H. al-Ta’ishi.

Since the conflict erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, the UN estimates over 20,000 fatalities, with more than 10 million displaced, 2.4 million of whom have sought refuge in neighboring countries. UNICEF condemned the attacks on children, stressing that they are the most vulnerable in the ongoing war.