Sudan Shelling Claims Over 120 Civilians Amid Ongoing Conflict
Over 120 civilians were killed in shelling in Omdurman, Sudan, on Monday. The ongoing civil war has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and massive displacements. Medical facilities are facing shortages due to the violence, complicating treatment for the injured. Both military factions are accused of endangering civilian lives through indiscriminate attacks.
On Monday, over 120 civilians were reportedly killed due to random shelling in the Dar-Salam area of Omdurman, situated near Khartoum. According to local volunteer organizations, this number could rise, as the Ombada Emergency Response Room indicated the figures are provisional. Medical personnel are struggling to treat the influx of casualties as medical supplies dwindle amidst ongoing violence.
The ongoing civil war in Sudan is now in its 21st month, having taken tens of thousands of lives and displaced over 12 million people, leading to a potential famine, which the United Nations has termed one of the worst humanitarian crises worldwide. The conflict erupted following a power struggle between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The Ombada Emergency Response Room has not identified the perpetrators of the Omdurman shelling. Due to the continued fighting, volunteer and emergency teams encounter difficulties accessing impacted areas. Currently, the army controls most of Omdurman, while the RSF retains authority in Khartoum and adjacent locations.
As the army intensifies operations in Omdurman to reclaim territory, it has reportedly gained control of three areas and confiscated weapons from the RSF. Conversely, RSF fighters have been pushing back to defend their positions, with reports of bombings affecting residential neighborhoods on both sides of the Nile.
The Ombada Emergency Response Room articulated that the prolonged fighting has decimated the area, subjecting residents to stray bullets and shrapnel amid ongoing military actions. Both factions have been accused of targeting civilians and indiscriminately shelling residential zones, exacerbating the humanitarian situation.
The civil conflict in Sudan began following disputes over the future governance of the nation, primarily between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces. This conflict has escalated, resulting in widespread violence, a humanitarian crisis, and a large-scale displacement of the population. Reports indicate that ongoing military confrontations hinder effective emergency response efforts and access to medical services. The humanitarian landscape is dire, with the United Nations highlighting the severity of the crisis, marked by extensive casualties and displacement. Both military and paramilitary factions have been reported to engage in actions that negatively impact civilian populations, raising concerns over human rights violations.
The recent shelling in Omdurman highlights the devastating effects of Sudan’s ongoing civil war, which has resulted in significant civilian casualties and a humanitarian disaster. As medical resources dwindle and access to aid becomes increasingly complicated, the plight of Sudanese civilians continues to deteriorate amid a struggle for territorial control between the Sudanese army and the RSF. It is imperative for international observers to monitor the situation closely and provide necessary humanitarian assistance.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
