In August 2024, a shelling attack on the Abu Sitta girls’ school in el-Obeid, Sudan, killed 14 people and injured dozens, with recent reports highlighting the resilience of survivors like twins Makarem and Ikram as they return to their studies amidst ongoing conflict.
On a normal school day, 18-year-old twins Makarem and Ikram were in separate classrooms when shelling struck the school. Makarem was in an English literature class and felt her shoulder tilt as she was hit, while Ikram was in a science lesson. In the chaos, screaming students dropped to the floor for cover, and Makarem was told by a classmate that her shoulder was bleeding. The twins tried to reach each other but couldn’t, and Makarem was later taken to hospital by local residents using cars and animal-drawn carts due to the absence of ambulance services in el-Obeid.
The attack killed the twins’ English teacher, Fathiya Khalil Ibrahiem, and 13 of their classmates, with dozens more injured. Regional authorities have accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary group at war with the Sudanese army, of firing the shells. The RSF has never commented on the incident, and it remains unclear whether the shelling was intentional. Makarem recalls that half of her friends were killed and the rest injured, underscoring the brutality of the event.
Makarem suffered a head wound in addition to her shoulder injury, and a CT scan later revealed a small piece of shrapnel lodged in her head, which cannot be surgically removed. She experiences pain, especially in cold weather, and relies on painkillers. Ikram, who was in an unharmed part of the school, was traumatized by the search for her sister and the loss of friends. Both twins initially could not imagine returning to the school, but were encouraged by peers who had already gone back.
This incident is part of Sudan’s broader civil war, which began in April 2023 and has resulted in over 150,000 deaths and millions displaced, creating what the United Nations calls the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. The oil-rich Kordofan region, where el-Obeid is located, has become a major frontline due to its strategic significance in controlling the country’s oil supply. Analysts note that controlling this area is key to dominating Sudan’s resources.
The war has devastated education across Sudan, with an estimated 13 million of the 17 million school-age children out of school. According to Save the Children, only 3% of schools are open in North Darfur, the worst-affected state. In el-Obeid, dozens of schools have been converted into shelters for displaced people, hosting nearly one million individuals, which complicates learning environments and creates sanitation issues.
After the attack, the Abu Sitta school was closed for three months for renovations. Upon returning, students received psychological support, and the school provided beds and nurses to help injured students take exams comfortably. Headteacher Iman Ahmed describes the girls’ determination to continue their studies as a form of defiance and loyalty to those lost. During a BBC visit in December, students were seen playing and laughing in the courtyard, despite ongoing drone attacks in the area.
The city of el-Obeid endured an RSF siege for over a year and a half until the Sudanese army regained control in February 2025. While there is now relative calm, the presence of displaced families in schools has led to challenges, such as restricted movement for students. Ibtisam Ali, a student at a converted school, notes that even going to the bathroom has become problematic due to overcrowding.
Despite these hardships, Makarem and Ikram, now 19, remain hopeful for the future. Ikram has completed her secondary education and is studying English at university in el-Obeid, inspired by her slain teacher. Makarem aims to become a doctor, but after not achieving the required exam scores, she is retaking her school year to improve. She believes she can reach her goals, viewing her resilience as a tribute to her lost friends and a step toward healing in a war-torn nation.
