Airstrike hits WFP trucks in Sudan, destroying food aid for 5,800

Aid convoy struck

The United Nations World Food Programme on Wednesday condemned an airstrike that destroyed two aid trucks near Dilling in Sudan's South Kordofan state, wiping out food supplies intended for 5,800 civilians for one month.

The attack occurred on August 30 as the vehicles traveled toward Kadugli, the state capital, despite displaying clear WFP markings and flags, according to the agency.

Condemnation and losses

"The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) strongly condemns the aerial attack that hit two trucks carrying WFP food assistance," the agency said in a statement, noting that the strike obliterated more than 50 metric tons of supplies including cereals, yellow split peas, vegetable oil and salt.

The WFP did not attribute responsibility for the bombing, though Sudanese authorities and rights groups have frequently accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces of targeting civilian infrastructure.

Pattern of violence

"Since the beginning of the year, WFP has recorded eight aerial attacks that have damaged its premises and disrupted operations," the statement added, underscoring repeated violations of humanitarian space. The agency called on all parties to the conflict "to respect international humanitarian law by protecting civilians, humanitarian personnel and humanitarian assets."

On August 29, one day before the convoy strike, a drone attack on a market in Dilling killed three people and wounded several others, with the Sudan Doctors Network alleging the device belonged to the Rapid Support Forces. The United Nations reported on August 24 that drone strikes killed 1,100 civilians across Sudan between January and June, while the war between the army and the RSF that began in April 2023 has displaced approximately 13 million people and caused tens of thousands of deaths.