An explosive-laden drone struck a secondary school and a health care center in the village of Shukeiri in Sudan's White Nile province on Wednesday, killing at least 17 people, mostly schoolgirls, according to a hospital official and a medical monitoring group.

Dr. Musa al-Majeri, director of Douiem Hospital, the nearest major medical facility, reported that the dead included two teachers and a health care worker, alongside the schoolgirls. At least 10 people were wounded, with three girls suffering serious injuries; two underwent surgery at the hospital, and the third was evacuated to Khartoum.

The Sudan Doctors Network, a war-tracking medical group, first reported the strike and noted there was no military presence in the village. Spokeswoman Dr. Razan Al-Mahdi called it "this horrific crime" and a "continuation of the violations committed by the RSF in the White Nile," referencing recent attacks on a student dormitory and a power station.

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were blamed for the attack, though the group did not respond to requests for comment.

The incident occurred amid Sudan's nearly three-year civil war, which erupted in April 2023 from a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF. The conflict has killed more than 40,000 people, according to United Nations figures, though aid groups believe the true toll is far higher. Atrocities including mass killings, gang rapes and other crimes are under investigation by the International Criminal Court as potential war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Fighting has intensified in the Kordofan region, where drone strikes have become a daily occurrence by both sides. Deadly attacks on civilians have escalated, with the RSF and its Janjaweed allies recently overrunning the Darfur city of el-Fasher in October. The United Nations Human Rights Office reported at least 6,000 killed there in three days, an assault that bore "hallmarks of genocide," according to U.N.-commissioned experts.

The White Nile strike underscores the growing risks to civilians in areas distant from major front lines, as both warring parties deploy drones with increasing frequency. No immediate international reaction was reported.