The deadly assault on a UN aid convoy in Sudan underscores the severe impact of the civil war on civilians and humanitarian efforts.
UN Aid Convoy Ambushed in Sudan: Five Dead, Multiple Injured
UN Aid Convoy Ambushed in Sudan: Five Dead, Multiple Injured
Tragic attack on UN convoy highlights ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
Five members of a United Nations convoy delivering vital aid to the beleaguered city of el-Fasher in Sudan were killed in a recent attack, as reported by UN agencies. The assault, which occurred late Monday night near el-Koma in North Darfur, also left several individuals injured and resulted in the destruction of multiple trucks. Rival factions in Sudan's protracted civil conflict—the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, and the regular army—have exchanged accusations regarding the responsibility for the drone strike on the aid convoy.
While the UN has refrained from providing details on the mechanics of the attack, it has urged for an immediate investigation and accountability for those responsible. The convoy, consisting of 15 trucks from the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) and children's agency Unicef, was poised to deliver essential food and nutrition supplies to families facing severe food shortages in el-Fasher, which has been under military control. The humanitarian situation has become dire, with civilian and military targets in the area facing ongoing assaults from the RSF, creating a devastating backdrop for aid delivery.
In response to the attack, local volunteer responders known as the el-Koma Emergency Room shared video evidence of a burnt-out truck that was carrying supplies. They have attributed the assault to the Sudanese army. El-Koma, currently controlled by the RSF, has seen repeated attacks throughout the conflict, which has resulted in numerous civilian casualties and significant infrastructure damage. Recent reports indicate that at least 89 individuals were either killed or injured as a result of airstrikes carried out by the Sudanese army in el-Koma on Sunday, although the army has not issued any comment regarding these claims.
The humanitarian implications of this ongoing war have been catastrophic, with more than four million people having fled their homes since the onset of violence in 2023—a struggle rooted in a power dispute between the army and the RSF that has disrupted attempts to transition Sudan to democracy.
