UNITED NATIONS, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Escalating violence in and around El Obeid, the state capital of North Kordofan, Sudan, is putting civilians at increased risk and disrupting essential services, UN humanitarians warned Monday.
Between Thursday and Sunday, drone attacks reportedly targeted multiple locations, including a power substation and a fuel station, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The attacks forced the closure of several medical facilities in El Obeid, including dialysis centers and emergency departments. Several water stations were also shut down, said OCHA, quoting the local medical group Sudan Doctors Network.
Elsewhere in North Kordofan, local sources reported that two bridges located south of the city of Um Ruwaba were targeted by drones on Sunday, said the office.
Multiple drone attacks were also reported Sunday in the city of Ar Rahad, southeast of El Obeid, along a key highway, it said.
Drone strikes have also been reported in other parts of Sudan in recent days, including North Darfur and White Nile states, causing civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, said OCHA.
Meanwhile, nearby in West Kordofan, the cholera outbreak continues to worsen due to limited humanitarian access and insecurity, ongoing displacement, and inadequate access to safe drinking water and sanitation. As of June 16, 700 cases and 60 associated deaths had been recorded, including 100 cases and 10 deaths since the start of the month, said OCHA.
The United Nations and its partners have supported the provision of cholera treatments, supplies and awareness-raising campaigns in addition to establishing cholera treatment centers in the state, it said. ■