South Sudan: How Kadugli and Dilling Lived Through the Siege
Residents of Kadugli and Dilling in South Kordofan State faced severe hardships during a siege, leading to devastating conditions for civilians.
In South Kordofan State, the cities of Kadugli and Dilling have been engulfed in dire circumstances as residents endured a prolonged siege by the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudan People's Liberation Army. A woman who fled the siege described the horrifying reality where the dead were seen as lucky compared to the living, who faced extreme hardships such as skyrocketing market prices and the constant threat of shelling. Essentials became unaffordable, with reports indicating that a civil servant's monthly salary could only buy a single bag of sugar.
The situation in Kadugli and Dilling was dominated by violence and scarcity, where shelling and drone strikes severely hindered the ability of civilians to move safely within their towns. Eyewitness accounts gathered by the Ayin Network reveal the terrifying experiences of those who managed to escape the conflict. Despite the lifting of the siege around late January and early February, the conditions remain precarious as drone attacks continue in various regions across the state.
While there is some relief for the residents following the end of the siege, the ongoing threat of violence looms large, with many still grappling with the aftermath of the conflict. The humanitarian situation remains distressing, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to ensure safety and stability for the citizens of Kadugli and Dilling, who have suffered immensely due to the ongoing violence in South Sudan.