A devastating drone strike struck the town of Kalogi in southern South Kordofan on December 4, 2025, killing at least 50 people, including 33 children, and completely destroying a kindergarten, according to local authorities and humanitarian organizations operating in the region. The attack has sent shockwaves across Sudan and beyond, deepening fears over the growing toll of civilian casualties in a conflict that continues to spiral out of control.
Kalogi, a small community already strained by years of instability and limited access to basic services, was plunged into mourning as families searched through rubble for survivors. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and despair, with the remains of the kindergarten reduced to debris and personal belongings scattered across the site. Many of the victims were young children who had been attending class at the time of the strike.
Local medical workers reported that the injured overwhelmed nearby health facilities, which are already operating with severe shortages of staff, medicine, and electricity. Several of the wounded remain in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll could still rise.
Blame Falls on Rapid Support Forces as Silence Persists
Initial assessments from regional authorities and humanitarian monitors indicate that the drone strike was likely carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the powerful paramilitary group engaged in a prolonged and brutal conflict with Sudan’s national army. Government officials publicly accused the RSF of deliberately targeting a civilian area, describing the attack as a grave war crime.
Despite the accusations, the RSF has not issued an official response directly addressing the destruction of the kindergarten or the reported deaths of children. The absence of a clear denial or explanation has further fueled anger and suspicion, particularly among residents of South Kordofan who say civilian communities are increasingly being treated as legitimate targets.
The lack of independent investigations and limited media access to conflict zones have made it difficult to verify responsibility conclusively. However, rights groups argue that the pattern of attacks on civilian infrastructure across Sudan raises serious concerns about violations of international humanitarian law.
Counter-Accusations Deepen the Cycle of Violence
While remaining silent on the Kalogi strike, RSF representatives have issued counter-accusations against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), claiming government troops recently carried out destructive operations in parts of Darfur. According to RSF statements, army units allegedly burned down a regional market, destroyed oil storage facilities, and damaged strategic infrastructure near the Chad–Sudan border.
These competing claims reflect the escalating propaganda war between the two sides, as each attempts to shift blame while intensifying military operations. Observers warn that this cycle of accusation and retaliation is contributing to a dangerous normalization of violence against civilians.
As frontline battles expand beyond military positions, towns, villages, schools, and markets are increasingly caught in the crossfire. For ordinary Sudanese citizens, the distinction between combat zones and civilian spaces has all but disappeared.
UNICEF and Global Agencies Condemn the Attack
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reacted strongly to the destruction of the kindergarten, condemning the strike as “unthinkable and inhumane.” In a statement, the agency emphasized that schools must remain safe spaces for children, even during armed conflict.
UNICEF stressed that attacking educational facilities violates international law and robs children of their fundamental right to safety and learning. The organization called on all parties involved in the conflict to immediately cease attacks on civilian areas and to take concrete steps to protect children.
Other international humanitarian agencies echoed the condemnation, warning that continued violence against schools could leave an entire generation traumatized, displaced, and deprived of education. Aid groups also highlighted the psychological impact on surviving children, many of whom witnessed the destruction firsthand, losing classmates, teachers, and family members in a single moment.
A War That Has Devastated Sudan Since 2023
The current conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces erupted in 2023, shattering hopes for a peaceful political transition and plunging the country into one of Africa’s worst humanitarian crises. Since then, millions of people have been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge in neighboring countries or overcrowded displacement camps.
Hospitals have been looted or destroyed, food supply chains disrupted, and access to clean water severely limited. In many regions, aid organizations struggle to reach vulnerable populations due to insecurity and bureaucratic restrictions.
The Kalogi drone strike stands out as one of the deadliest single incidents involving children since the conflict began. Analysts warn that attacks of this nature signal a dangerous escalation, suggesting that advanced weaponry is increasingly being used in densely populated areas.
South Kordofan Bears a Heavy Burden
South Kordofan has long been one of Sudan’s most volatile regions, suffering from historical neglect, ethnic tensions, and repeated cycles of conflict. The area hosts large numbers of internally displaced people who already lack adequate shelter, healthcare, and education.
Residents say the destruction of the kindergarten has dealt a devastating blow to an already fragile community. For many families, the school represented not only a place of learning but also a rare symbol of normalcy amid years of instability.
Community leaders in Kalogi have appealed for urgent humanitarian assistance, including medical supplies, trauma counseling, and temporary learning spaces for surviving children. They warn that without swift support, the long-term consequences of the attack could be profound.
Calls for Accountability Grow Louder
Human rights organizations have called for independent investigations into the Kalogi attack and other alleged violations across Sudan. They argue that impunity has allowed violence against civilians to continue unchecked, emboldening armed actors on all sides.
International legal experts note that deliberately targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure, including schools, constitutes a war crime under international law. Advocacy groups are urging global powers, regional organizations, and the United Nations to exert greater pressure on all parties to respect humanitarian norms.
At the same time, humanitarian agencies are calling for increased funding to support relief operations, warning that Sudan’s crisis is at risk of being overshadowed by other global conflicts.
A Community Grieving as the Conflict Drags On
As rescue workers continue clearing debris in Kalogi, families mourn the children and loved ones lost in an attack that has left deep emotional scars. Funerals have taken place amid tears and anger, with many residents expressing fear that similar strikes could happen again.
For Sudanese civilians, the tragedy underscores a painful reality: they remain trapped in a war they did not choose, with limited protection and few signs of an imminent political solution.
As fighting intensifies across Kordofan and Darfur, the Kalogi drone strike stands as a stark reminder of the human cost of the conflict and the urgent need for accountability, protection of civilians, and a renewed push toward peace.
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