UN: Khartoum Airport a Vital Lifeline for Aid

The United Nations has expressed grave concern over the escalating drone attacks that continue to endanger civilians, with reports of a wave of strikes in several Sudanese states over the past few days.

Earlier on Monday, a drone was reportedly shot down over Khartoum International Airport, leading to flight cancellations, according to UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric at the daily press briefing. He noted that the airport is a vital lifeline for ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid.

He continued, “In Gezira State, local sources reported that five members of one family, including women and children, were killed last Saturday. In White Nile State, a gas station and a fuel tanker were struck near Kosti. In North Kordofan State, the state television building in El Obeid, the state capital, was damaged.”

He added, “Drone attacks have also intensified in the Darfur region.” Strikes were reported today in West Darfur, while an attack two days ago in Nyala, South Darfur, injured at least five people and damaged buildings near humanitarian offices.

1,000 displaced in one week

Stéphane Dujarric said that insecurity is forcing people to flee their homes. In the past week, more than 2,600 people were displaced in North Kordofan and nearly 1,000 in South Kordofan, according to the International Organization for Migration.

He added that nearly 9 million people are now internally displaced within Sudan, while another 4.5 million have fled to neighboring countries since the conflict began more than three years ago.

The UN reiterated the need for all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law at all times and to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. It also stressed the importance of allowing continuous and unimpeded humanitarian access to those in need.