Kauda, August 21 (Darfur24)
Forces affiliated with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) launched a large-scale attack on several villages in the Kauda area of South Kordofan on Thursday, killing and injuring civilians and displacing hundreds, according to local sources.
The sources told Darfur24 that heavy artillery shelling began at around 5 a.m., targeting the villages of Shiri, Kadri, Korbla, Al-Qumair, Shawri, Duli, Karqa and Namli.
They said the shelling hit residential areas and locations where displaced people had gathered, while homes were burned and property was looted or destroyed. Hundreds of residents fled into valleys and forests, where they face shortages of food, water, shelter and healthcare.
The attack is the latest escalation in fighting between the SPLM-N and armed members of the Atoro tribe, which began in May following disputes over tribal boundaries.
The Atoro tribe’s media committee condemned Thursday’s attacks and called on humanitarian and human rights organizations to investigate alleged violations, protect civilians and ensure assistance reaches displaced people.
The SPLM-N has denied that the conflict is tribal, saying its operations target armed groups it describes as rebels. Previous clashes have displaced large numbers of civilians, disrupted services and led to mutual accusations of killings, looting and the burning of homes.