Drone Strike Hits Sudan School, Medical Centre; 17 Dead, Mostly Schoolgirls

At least 17 people , most of them schoolgirls , were killed and several others injured when an explosive-laden drone struck a secondary school and a nearby health care centre in southern Sudan’s White Nile State on Wednesday, according to hospital officials and medical groups.

The attack occurred in the village of Shukeiri , where students were attending classes when the drone exploded, causing heavy casualties and panic among residents. At least 10 people were wounded , some critically, and were taken to Douiem Hospital , the nearest major medical facility. Hospital director Dr Musa al-Majeri said three girls suffered severe injuries, with two undergoing surgery while another was transferred to Khartoum for specialised treatment.

The Sudan Doctors Network , which monitors violence in the war-torn country, said the victims included female students, teachers and a health worker , stressing that no military presence was reported in the village at the time of the strike. The group blamed the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group for the attack and described it as a “horrific crime” against civilians.

The strike is part of a broader escalation of violence in White Nile State , where drone attacks and artillery shelling have recently targeted residential neighbourhoods, student dormitories and power facilities . Local authorities have warned residents about unexploded ordnance following several aerial attacks in nearby towns.

Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal civil war since April 2023 , when fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF , commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. What began as a power struggle within the military leadership has evolved into a nationwide conflict affecting major regions including Khartoum, Darfur, Kordofan and the Nile Valley .

The war has produced one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Estimates suggest that tens of thousands of people have been killed , while more than 11 million people have been displaced , creating the largest displacement crisis globally. Aid agencies warn that famine, disease outbreaks and attacks on hospitals and schools are worsening conditions for civilians across the country.

Analysts note that the growing use of drones and aerial weapons has made the conflict even more dangerous for civilians, as strikes can hit populated areas without warning. Human rights organisations have repeatedly called for investigations into possible war crimes and urged the international community to push for an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians, particularly children.