Five killed in attack on UN aid convoy in Sudan
3 min read
Five killed in attack on UN aid convoy in Sudan
Five killed in attack on UN aid convoy in Sudan
Five humanitarian workers have been killed in Sudan after a United Nations aid convoy was attacked while on its way to deliver life-saving supplies to the besieged city of el-Fasher in North Darfur. Several others were injured and multiple trucks were burned during the ambush, which occurred on Monday night near the town of el-Koma.
The convoy—comprising 15 trucks carrying food and nutrition supplies—was operated by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The agencies described the attack as “devastating,” particularly since the aid was intended for famine-stricken civilians, including children and families trapped in the war-ravaged city.
Though the UN has not officially confirmed who was responsible for the assault, both sides in Sudan’s brutal civil war—the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the national army—have blamed each other. Each accused the other of launching drone strikes on the convoy. The UN has called for an urgent and impartial investigation into the incident and demanded that those responsible be held accountable.
“This attack is not only a tragic loss of life, but it also denies desperately needed humanitarian assistance to people who are on the brink of starvation,” the UN agencies said in a joint statement.
The attack occurred in a region where fighting has raged for over a year. El-Fasher remains the last major city in North Darfur still under control of the Sudanese army. The RSF has been actively trying to seize the city, subjecting both military personnel and civilians to relentless attacks.
El-Koma, where the attack took place, is currently under RSF control but has also faced frequent airstrikes and clashes. The local volunteer group known as the el-Koma Emergency Room shared footage of one of the destroyed trucks, which was filled with aid supplies. In a Facebook post, the group blamed the Sudanese army for the assault, citing recent airstrikes in the area that they claim killed or injured at least 89 people.
The Sudanese military has not responded to these allegations. According to the Sudan Tribune news outlet, Sudanese warplanes recently bombed a crowded market in el-Koma, which may have further fueled the instability and violence surrounding the aid convoy’s route.
The broader context of Sudan’s civil war highlights the tragic complexity of this conflict. Since the war erupted in 2023 due to a power struggle between the RSF and the national army, over four million people have fled the country, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The warring factions had previously staged a coup to halt Sudan’s transition to democracy, but later turned against each other in a fierce contest for control.
What was originally seen as a temporary conflict has now evolved into one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Civilians are bearing the brunt of the violence, with entire communities cut off from food, clean water, and medical care. UN agencies have repeatedly warned that without consistent humanitarian access, parts of Sudan could face full-scale famine.
The attack on the UN convoy is the latest in a string of dangerous incidents that have hindered relief operations in the country. Aid workers face growing risks, not only from active combat zones but also from deliberate targeting by factions vying for territory and resources.
UN officials stressed that humanitarian workers and convoys must never be targeted under any circumstances, reminding all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law.
Despite these challenges, the UN remains committed to delivering aid to Sudanese civilians in need. However, as this week’s tragedy shows, that mission is becoming increasingly perilous.
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