At least five civilians were killed and 47 others injured after drones operated by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) struck a student dormitory at Kordofan University in El-Obeid, North Kordofan, on Wednesday, according to the Sudan Doctors Network.
The independent medical group said the casualty figures were preliminary and warned that the attack represented a “worrying escalation” in strikes on civilian and public-service facilities.
The network condemned the targeting of student accommodation and educational institutions, saying such attacks endanger civilians and constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
It called on the United Nations and international humanitarian and human rights organisations to condemn attacks on civilian infrastructure, hold those responsible accountable and provide urgent medical assistance to the wounded and others affected.
There was no immediate response from the RSF to the allegations.
El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state, has been subjected to repeated drone attacks in recent months. On September 20, the Sudan Doctors Network reported that two people were killed and 20 wounded when RSF drones struck several residential areas of the city.
Sudanese authorities and rights groups have repeatedly accused the RSF of attacking civilian facilities. The paramilitary group has generally not responded directly to individual allegations while maintaining that it seeks to protect civilians.
Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF since April 2023, leaving tens of thousands of people dead and forcing millions from their homes.