Children caught in crossfire as shelling devastates schools, markets in Sudan

A series of shelling attacks in Sudan have claimed the lives of several children and left many more injured. Reports indicate that on a tragic day in El Obeid city, Kordofan state, five girls lost their lives and 20 others suffered injuries when artillery shells struck Al-Khansa Secondary School for Girls and a bustling marketplace.

The violence didn’t stop there. On Sunday, a shell hit a UNICEF-supported child-friendly space in Al Hattana, Khartoum state, resulting in the deaths of two boys and at least eight other injuries.

These assaults are part of a broader pattern of attacks against health facilities and civilian infrastructure across the country.

The ongoing conflict has pushed most schools in Sudan to remain closed for the second consecutive year, leaving over 17 million out of 19 million school-aged children without access to education. Since the conflict erupted in April 2023, more than 110 schools and hospitals have been targeted, with many schools now serving as makeshift shelters for internally displaced families, creating significant barriers to education.

Experts warn that such attacks are a grave violation of children’s rights, disrupting their education and exposing them to potential abuse and danger. Schools are essential for providing a safe learning environment, and these attacks rob children of the chance to learn, play, and heal from trauma.

The situation is dire, with thousands of children reported killed or injured since the onset of the war. The United Nations has documented a five-fold increase in grave violations against children, including sexual violence and forced recruitment into armed conflict, raising alarms about the ongoing crisis.

UNICEF has issued urgent calls for all parties involved in the conflict to cease attacks on civilian facilities, especially schools and health centers. They emphasize the need to protect children in accordance with International Humanitarian Law, highlighting that schools are vital for children’s recovery in a war-torn nation.

“Attacks on schools, health facilities, and other civilian objects must stop immediately,” UNICEF stated, underscoring the critical role educational institutions play in helping children cope with the horrors of war.