SPLM-N Shelling Kills Five in Sudan South Kordofan Residential Areas ww3 map
Sudanese rebel group SPLM-N forces shelled residential areas in South Kordofan, killing at least five people including a child, hours after attacks near Kauda killed more than 21 civilians, amid a broader civil war that has displaced 13 million people and pushed parts of the country into famine as shown on ww3 map updates. [3]
Recent Attacks in South Kordofan
SPLM-N (al-Hilu faction) aligned with the RSF carried out an artillery attack on Dilling in South Kordofan, killing at least five including a child and injuring others, in violation of international humanitarian law. [3] Hours earlier, SPLM-N forces attacked areas near Kauda, killing over 21 people including women and children, specifically targeting the Otoro tribe and displacing thousands from at least 10 villages between August 20 and 26. [3] The Sudan Doctors Network stated the heavy bombardment of civilian areas was a clear violation of international humanitarian law, resulting in civilian casualties and further worsening an already dire humanitarian situation. [3] The organisation called on the international community to take immediate action to end these violations and exert meaningful pressure on the leadership of the SPLM-N (al-Hilu Faction) to cease attacks against civilians and residential areas. [3]
Broader Context of the Civil War
Since fighting between the Sudanese army and RSF began in April 2023, the war has killed tens of thousands, displaced about 13 million people, and left nearly 34 million (two-thirds of the population) needing urgent humanitarian aid according to WHO. [3] The SPLM-N is a breakaway faction of the SPLM, the governing party of neighbouring South Sudan. [3] Its leader, Abdel Aziz al-Hilu, has aligned his fighters with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and joined ranks with the RSF-led parallel government in Sudan. [3] The recent fighting came despite a ceasefire initiative backed by the RSF last month. [3] Al-Hilu did not commit to the agreement, and his forces launched attacks on at least 10 Otoro villages, displacing thousands of civilians between August 20 and 26. [3]
UN Warnings on Foreign Involvement
A UN-backed fact-finding mission reported that foreign involvement including external supply networks, foreign personnel and military drones is driving the conflict and worsening violence against civilians. [3] The escalation coincides with broader warnings from a United Nations-backed independent fact-finding mission, which reported on Thursday that foreign involvement, including external supply networks, foreign personnel, and military drones, is driving the conflict and worsening violence against civilians nationwide. [3] This dynamic has added another layer of ethnic friction to the country’s wider civil war between the Sudanese army and the RSF. [3]
Sudanese SPLM-N rebels shell residential areas in South Kordofan, killing at least five civilians including a child. — Source: aljazeera
Displacement and Access Issues in Blue Nile
SPLM-N artillery shelling killed at least five civilians including a child in South Kordofan residential areas. — Source: reliefweb
Escalating hostilities in Blue Nile have displaced more than 23,000 people from Geissan and Al Kurmuk localities since 11 August 2026, increasing protection risks and constraining humanitarian access. [4] Insecurity and movement restrictions are disrupting humanitarian operations and access to essential services. [4] The Protection Cluster is concerned that continued hostilities will drive new displacement, increase protection risks and further constrain humanitarian access. [4]
Humanitarian Crisis Overview
Since fighting between the Sudanese military and the RSF broke out in April 2023, the war has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced approximately 13 million, and pushed parts of the country into famine. [3] According to the World Health Organization, nearly 34 million people, about two-thirds of Sudan’s population, now require urgent humanitarian assistance. [3] The killings follow clashes earlier this year driven by land disputes, adding another layer of ethnic friction to the country’s wider civil war between the Sudanese army and the RSF. [3]
Risks of Renewed Conflict and Atrocities
The long-awaited elections could fuel renewed conflict and heighten the risk of atrocities, the UN-appointed Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan said last month. [3] In these circumstances, the long-awaited elections could fuel renewed conflict and heighten the risk of atrocities. [3] The Sudan Doctors Network said those attacks specifically targeted the Otoro tribe, a minority group in the Nuba Mountains. [3]
What to watch next: Continued hostilities in Blue Nile may drive new displacement and further constrain humanitarian access while the UN-backed fact-finding mission continues to highlight how external supply networks, foreign personnel and military drones are driving the conflict and worsening violence against civilians nationwide. [4] [3]
