Sudan war kills or injures over 300 children in six months, UNICEF reports

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has inflicted devastating consequences on its youngest population, with the United Nations children's agency, UNICEF, reporting that over 300 children have been killed or wounded in the last six months. The majority of these casualties are attributed to drone strikes, highlighting the brutal nature of the warfare.

UNICEF data indicates that drone warfare is responsible for 60% of child casualties. The conflict, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), is now primarily concentrated in the Kordofan, Darfur, and Blue Nile regions. International bodies, including the U.N., U.S., and U.K., have voiced grave concerns over potential atrocities, particularly as both sides vie for control of the strategic city of el-Obeid in North Kordofan.

In response to the escalating violence, the U.N.-backed Human Rights Council approved a measure condemning the RSF's actions and encouraging increased support for Sudanese refugees. The resolution also called for an end to "all forms of external interference" in the conflict. The war's broader impact is catastrophic, with at least 59,000 recorded deaths, approximately 13 million people displaced, and widespread famine threatening many areas. Over 30 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

Civilians face dire conditions, with areas experiencing prolonged sieges and essential infrastructure like schools and markets targeted by shelling and drone attacks. Sheldon Yett, UNICEF representative for Sudan, described the situation as a "relentless cycle of violence, displacement and deprivation" for children. The U.N. has urged all parties to protect civilians and humanitarian access, and to shield children from harm.

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Children are being caught in a relentless cycle of violence, displacement and deprivation.