United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has strongly condemned a recent attack in Sudan’s North Kordofan state, which resulted in the deaths of 450 civilians, including 35 children.
The attack, which occurred over the weekend in communities around the city of Bara, has left many more injured and missing.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell described the attack as “an outrage” and “a terrifying escalation of violence, and a complete disregard for human life, international humanitarian law, and the most basic principles of humanity.”
She called on all parties to end the violence immediately and uphold their obligations under international law.
Russell stressed that civilians, particularly children, must never be targeted and that all alleged violations must be independently investigated.
“Impunity cannot be tolerated for violations of international law, especially when children’s lives are at stake,” she said.
“No child should ever experience such horrors. Violence against children is unconscionable and must end now.”
Russell extended UNICEF’s deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to anyone impacted by the violence.
