Sudan: Air-force bombings kill children in Nuba Mountains

The independent news agency Dabanga reported on 2 May 2016 that Sudan air-force jets killed six children in an aerial bombardment of South Kordofan on 1 May. Freedom House released a statement on 12 May condemning the action: "Freedom House strongly condemns the Government of Sudan"s bombing. The people of South Kordofan have endured systemic human rights violations, indiscriminate bombings, and destruction of their homes and land. The international community should call on Sudan"s government to immediately stop perpetrating violence in the conflict regions." Yonas Dembele, persecution analyst at World Watch Research, comments: "The government of Sudan has been indiscriminately bombing civilian areas in the Nuba Mountains for years. As a result, many Christians have been killed and churches and church properties destroyed. Whatever the religious affiliation of the children may be, it is an abhorrent act that must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Furthermore, the recent attack shows the fate awaiting many civilians in the Nuba Mountains, especially Christians. This is another indication of the continuing systematic and widespread violation of human rights of the Nuba people by the government of Sudan."