Authorities in Renk County, Upper Nile State, have reported that a Sudanese Antonov plane dropped bombs on the Kosovo area of Dong-Tim Payam in Renk County on Saturday, injuring three civilians, including a woman.
The victims have been identified as Hussein Ali, Malik Jat Deng, and Angelina Musa, all South Sudanese nationals.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday evening, Renk County Commissioner Akoch Jol Achiek accused the Sudanese Armed Forces of carrying out the attack in the border area of Kosovo, near al-Tadamon locality in Sudan’s Blue Nile State.
“We would like to inform the public that on Saturday at 5:30 p.m., we were attacked by a Sudanese Antonov plane deep inside South Sudanese territory. The incident took place in Kosovo and resulted in the injury of three people, who are currently receiving treatment at Renk Civil Hospital,” the commissioner said.
He added that the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and civil administration intervened promptly, transporting the injured to the hospital. “Our government will also visit the victims,” the commissioner said.
The commissioner further indicated that South Sudanese authorities are taking the necessary steps regarding the incident and are in communication with Sudanese officials in al-Tadamon Locality to determine the motive behind the attack. However, he noted that poor communication services have hindered contact with al-Tadamon Locality.
The commissioner also revealed that approximately 3,600 people have been displaced in the past two days due to ongoing battles between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in several areas of Blue Nile State.
“The displaced individuals have sought refuge in the Adham, Bebinis, and Shomedi areas of Renk County. The local administration is currently assessing the situation and plans to inform higher state and national authorities,” he said.
The commissioner appealed to humanitarian organizations for urgent assistance to help those fleeing the violence in Blue Nile’s western border regions.
Neither the Sudanese Armed Forces nor the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have responded to requests for comment on the bombing of the Kosovo area.
Since April 15, 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a conflict between the army, led by Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, and his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary RSF.