In the southern region of Kordofan, Sudan, a prison came under attack on Saturday, allegedly by a drone strike attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This tragic event resulted in the death of at least 20 inmates, according to local authorities. The primary correctional facility in Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, witnessed the injuries of around 50 other detainees during the assault, as per a statement issued by Information Minister Khalid Aleiser.
Aleiser, who also acts as the spokesperson for the government aligned with the military, placed the blame on the RSF for this strike. This attack is part of a broader pattern of increased drone attacks by the militia targeting military-controlled zones throughout the nation. Sudan has been embroiled in civil conflict since April 15, 2023, when mounting tensions between the military and the RSF erupted into active warfare in Khartoum, the capital, and other regions. Obeid, the site of the recent attack, lies 363 kilometers (225 miles) to the south of Khartoum.
The RSF has yet to comment on allegations concerning the recent prison assault. This incident follows their series of drone attacks earlier this month on Port Sudan, the strategic Red Sea city that currently houses the interim government of Sudan. These targeted operations impacted various key infrastructure sites, including airports, maritime ports, and essential facilities such as fuel storage units.
Recent military actions also include strikes on the Nyala airport in South Darfur, a location allegedly associated with RSF’s receipt of foreign military support, notably drones. According to local media reports, last week’s military action resulted in significant casualties among RSF officers.
In Darfur, the western part of the country, the RSF conducted an artillery assault on Friday targeting a camp for displaced civilians. This attack led to the deaths of at least 14 people, reported by the Emergency Room, a group monitoring the ongoing conflict. Among the deceased were two parents, their eight children, and the children’s grandmother.
The RSF has been conducting almost daily assaults on both the camp and the adjacent city of el-Fasher, the hub of North Darfur province. These areas have been under siege by the paramilitary group for over a year as they attempt to gain control. Previously in September, a large-scale attack by the RSF on Zamzam, Sudan’s most extensive displaced persons camp, resulted in brutally killing more than 400 people and forcing many inhabitants to flee.
The ongoing warfare has registered at least 24,000 fatalities, although this figure is likely underestimated. With about 13 million individuals displaced from their homes, a significant portion, approximately 4 million, have sought refuge in neighboring countries. The conflict has propelled parts of the nation into famine conditions.
The violent clashes have been characterized by severe human rights abuses, including mass sexual violence and ethnically driven slaughters. Such acts have been classified by the U.N. and various international humanitarian bodies as war crimes and crimes against humanity, notably within the Darfur region.