Violent confrontations in a region of southern Sudan have claimed the lives of more than 61 individuals, including nine children, according to a local medical organization that reported the casualties Wednesday. The deadly fighting represents another chapter in the broader civil war that has devastated the African nation since 2023.
The Sudan Doctors Network, an organization that tracks casualties from the ongoing conflict, reported that the violence began earlier this month in Kauda, located in South Kordofan. The battles have pitted forces associated with the rebel organization Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North against members of the Otoro tribe.
The leader of the SPLM-N, Abdel Aziz al-Hilu, has formed an alliance with the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which is currently engaged in combat against Sudan’s military forces.
The nation’s conflict, now entering its fourth year, has resulted in military control over northern, eastern and central territories, including the country’s Red Sea ports and oil infrastructure. The RSF paramilitary forces and their allies maintain control over the western Darfur area and portions of the Kordofan region near the South Sudan border, both areas containing valuable oil deposits and gold mining operations.
The SPLM-N under al-Hilu’s leadership has maintained operations in South Kordofan and has participated in a regional government established by the RSF paramilitaries.
The SPLM-N represents a splinter group from the SPLM, which serves as the governing party in neighboring South Sudan. The Otoro tribe represents a minority community within the Nuba Mountains area of South Kordofan.
Sudan’s civil war began in April 2023 following escalating tensions between military and RSF forces that exploded into full-scale warfare. The fighting has resulted in at least 59,000 deaths, forced approximately 13 million people from their homes, and created famine conditions across large areas. More than 30 million citizens require humanitarian aid.
The medical organization’s report indicated that survivor accounts collected by their South Kordofan team revealed that five women and nine children were among the fatalities during the two-week period.
Mohamed Elsheikh, the group’s spokesperson, told The Associated Press that poor communication has made it difficult to verify the full toll, which is likely higher as the clashes continue.
The medical group additionally reported that SPLM-N combatants destroyed residential buildings and commercial establishments while stealing property. Survivors allegedly informed the organization that civilians were “indiscriminately targeted.”
The organization also issued warnings about “systematic burning” and civilian attacks in areas surrounding Kauda, noting the absence of safe evacuation routes for injured people or aid delivery.
The SPLM-N did not immediately respond to request for comments.
In Dilling, another town in South Kordofan, artillery shelling by the RSF on Tuesday killed seven people and wounded 17, according to a local hospital. Umm Bakhita Hospital director Omran Teia in Dilling told the AP that civilians were targeted by the paramilitary and SPLM-N.
Both opposing forces in Sudan’s conflict have faced accusations from the United Nations and human rights organizations of committing serious crimes, including ethnic cleansing, extrajudicial killings and sexual violence against civilians. Humanitarian organizations indicate the actual casualty count could be significantly higher due to restricted access to combat zones throughout the expansive country.
