Ghadeer, South Kordofan, Sudan, December 06, 2025
A deadly drone strike on a kindergarten in Ghadeer locality, South Kordofan, Sudan, has reportedly killed more than 10 children aged 5 to 7 years old. The attack occurred amid escalating violence in the Kordofan region since November 2025, exposing deepening humanitarian crises.
The attack targeted an innocent civilian school, highlighting a grave violation of children’s rights and international norms protecting non-combatants in conflict zones. The use of drones against such vulnerable targets marks a significant and disturbing escalation in violence within this fragile area.
South Kordofan, together with North Kordofan, has faced deteriorated security conditions for weeks. The intensified fighting has forcibly displaced over 41,000 people, leaving many trapped without safe access to aid. Humanitarian organizations report that civilians remain under constant threat amid ongoing hostilities.
Humanitarian Crisis and Regional Impact
The capital of South Kordofan, Kadugli, has been officially declared a famine zone. Food insecurity remains severe in Kadugli and surrounding areas, compounding the already dire humanitarian situation. Health services within the region are collapsing due to depleted medical supplies and damaged infrastructure, further endangering civilian lives.
Educational institutions have also been severely disrupted, with this targeted attack at a kindergarten exemplifying the devastating consequences on children’s education and psychological well-being. The cumulative effect of war, displacement, famine, and insufficient health services places the region’s most vulnerable, especially children, at heightened risk.
International Response and Calls for Action
UNICEF has condemned the drone strike unequivocally, calling for an immediate halt to violence against civilians. The agency urges all parties involved in the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and to guarantee unimpeded humanitarian access to populations in need.
The tragic incident underscores the urgent requirement for continued monitoring and targeted efforts from the global community to provide relief and protection to civilians caught in the escalating conflict.
The attack on the kindergarten in South Kordofan is a stark indicator of the increasing threats faced by children and civilians amid Sudan’s enduring conflicts. The deteriorating situation demands intensified humanitarian intervention and renewed commitments to safeguard vulnerable populations in conflict zones.