Eight Sudanese killed in airstrikes in West Kordofan

January 22, 2024 (AL-MUGLAD) – Eight civilians were killed and four others were wounded on Monday when the Sudanese warplanes mistakenly bombed several villages in west Muglad, West Kordofan state, instead of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) positions located in another area.

The RSF has been steadily gaining ground in the region, aiming to seize control of the army command in the state capital, Babanusa.

Journalist Mohamed Hamdan Al-Bashiri from Al-Muglad reported to Sudan Tribune that Sudanese warplanes dropped a barrage of missiles and explosive barrels on the villages of Um Sukina, Batikha, Taiba, and Um Samoua. “The airstrikes hit populated areas, causing widespread destruction and loss of life,” he said.

Al-Bashiri strongly condemned the Sudanese army’s air attacks, accusing them of “deliberately” targeting civilian settlements far from the RSF zones. He also disputed the army’s claim that the RSF were present in the bombed areas.

The escalation of the military conflict between the army and the RSF has raised concerns about a worsening humanitarian crisis in West Kordofan. Tens of thousands of residents have already been displaced from their homes due to the fighting.

A local leader from the Misseriya tribe, one of the largest ethnic groups in the region, expressed dismay at the RSF’s disregard for a letter from the Misseriya paramount chief and local Native administration leader, urging them to halt their attacks on the area bordering South Sudan.

He told Sudan Tribune that the RSF has significantly bolstered its military presence near Babanusa in recent days, with plans to target the command of the 22nd Infantry Division.

Despite providing a significant portion of the RSF’s troops, the Misseriya tribe remains divided over its support for the paramilitary group and its expansionist ambitions. Those concerned about the situation in the disputed border areas with South Sudan fear it could trigger tribal clashes with rival groups across the border.

West Kordofan state holds immense natural resources, including oil and gold, making it a strategically important region. The ongoing conflict raises concerns about the potential for further instability and humanitarian hardship in the area.

(ST)