A security guard was killed and several buildings damaged when drones struck a college in El Obeid, the capital of Sudan’s North Kordofan state, on Wednesday, according to college officials and a witness.
Abdel-Aziz al-Amin, dean of the College of Development and Technological Sciences, told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that a drone believed to have been operated by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) struck the college with two missiles.
The attack killed a security guard and severely damaged laboratories, the library and other facilities, al-Amin said. The college has more than 3,000 students, he added.
“Academic institutions must be protected and must not be violated during wars,” al-Amin said, calling for educational institutions to be kept away from military operations.
Azzam Hamid, a local civil society activist and eyewitness, said four drones had attacked the college. He said the guard was seriously wounded and later died from his injuries.
An underground building, classrooms and service and technology facilities were also damaged, Hamid said.
The attack was part of a series of strikes on civilian, educational and health facilities in the area, he said.
“This increases human suffering and disrupts education and services for citizens,” Hamid said, describing the attack as a violation of international law and protections for civilians and educational institutions.
Radio Tamazuj was unable to immediately reach RSF commanders for comment.
At a Sept. 7 session of the U.N. Human Rights Council, speakers warned of a deteriorating security situation in the Kordofan region, including El Obeid, amid increased drone attacks affecting civilians and civilian infrastructure.
El Obeid has been under partial siege by the RSF, with residents facing repeated drone attacks and disruptions to essential services, including water and electricity.
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