Escalating Violence in Sudan: Civilians Targeted Amid Intensifying Conflict
The conflict in Sudan’s Khartoum intensifies, with civilians suffering from artillery shelling and looting by warring parties. Reports of widespread violence, including summary killings and sexual violence, have been confirmed. The humanitarian crisis is worsening, particularly in the Zamzam camp where access to vital resources is blocked. Calls from the UN and humanitarian organizations urge for the protection of civilians and unimpeded humanitarian access.
Recent reports from the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) indicate that escalating violence in Khartoum, Sudan, has resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians, including humanitarian volunteers, due to artillery and aerial bombardments. The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) severely impacts civilian safety and security.
The OHCHR has condemned actions by RSF fighters and their militias, who have allegedly targeted homes, conducted summary executions, and perpetrated arbitrary detentions along with looting essential supplies from community resources. Worrying reports of sexual violence in specific neighborhoods, such as Al Giraif Gharb, have also been highlighted by spokesperson Seif Magango.
In the face of the ongoing conflict, human rights violations are reported not only in eastern Khartoum but also in areas like Khartoum North (Bahri) and East Nile, where looting and arbitrary arrests are prevalent. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns of a growing humanitarian crisis, with targeted attacks on residential areas, including a recent drone strike that killed five women in Imtedaad Nasir and artillery shelling that injured dozens in Karari.
The situation is further exacerbated in North Darfur, where armed clashes around El Fasher have forced thousands to seek refuge in the besieged Zamzam camp. Resources and humanitarian services are critically limited, with checkpoints obstructing aid delivery. Water trucking has also been halted, raising the risk of waterborne diseases.
In response to these dire conditions, OCHA has made urgent calls for an immediate halt to hostilities and for all parties to respect civilians and civilian infrastructure. The UN and humanitarian agencies entreat all involved to prioritize the safety of civilians and grant secure access for humanitarian assistance. The OHCHR has urged both warring factions and influential states to take decisive actions to ensure accountability and the protection of vulnerable populations.
The situation in Sudan, particularly in Khartoum and North Darfur, has reached alarming levels, with civilians facing, extreme violence and humanitarian crises. Repeated calls from OCHA and the UN stress the urgent need for a cessation of hostilities and the prioritization of civilian protection and humanitarian access. As hostilities continue, the international community’s role in advocating for peace and accountability becomes increasingly critical.
Original Source: news.un.org
