A Quran memorization center in Sudan’s North Kordofan state was targeted in a drone attack carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), triggering widespread outrage and renewed concern over the deliberate targeting of civilians in the ongoing conflict.

According to information shared by the Sudanese army, the attack struck a civilian education facility in the town of Rahad (Rehed), killing one child and injuring dozens of others. The strike was carried out using unmanned aerial vehicles, despite the site being used exclusively for religious education.

The attack has drawn strong reactions, as it underscores the increasingly indiscriminate nature of the war that has engulfed Sudan since April 2023. Civilian spaces, including schools, religious centers and residential areas, have repeatedly come under fire as fighting between rival forces intensifies.

International media and humanitarian reports have confirmed a surge in drone attacks across the Kordofan region in recent months, with children frequently among the victims. The escalation has forced hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee their homes amid worsening insecurity.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), tens of thousands of people have been newly displaced in recent weeks alone, as violence spreads across central and western Sudan.

The continued war has deepened an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the country. Civilians are struggling with widespread hunger, the collapse of basic infrastructure, and a severe lack of security. The targeting of educational and religious institutions has further heightened fears for civilian safety.

Despite repeated calls from the international community for the protection of civilians, attacks on non-military targets continue unabated. Incidents in which children lose their lives serve as a stark reminder of the legal and moral obligations of all parties under international humanitarian law.

Observers warn that unless a lasting ceasefire is achieved and a genuine political process is initiated, the risk of similar tragedies in Sudan remains high. (ILKHA)