The UN Human Rights Office has reported significant civilian casualties in Sudan due to the ongoing conflict between the SAF and RSF. Civilians, including humanitarian workers, are victims of violence, looting, and allegations of sexual assault, particularly in Khartoum. The humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by attacks on civilian areas and dire conditions in refugee camps, necessitating urgent international intervention to protect civilians and ensure access to aid.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has resulted in significant civilian casualties, particularly in Khartoum where artillery shelling and aerial bombardments have claimed numerous lives, as reported by the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR). This escalating violence, attributed to the ongoing clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has predominantly affected vulnerable civilians and local humanitarian volunteers.
Credible accounts indicate that RSF fighters and associated militias have conducted raids in eastern Khartoum, executing summary killings, arbitrary detentions, and looting essential supplies from community kitchens and clinics. Additionally, troubling allegations of sexual violence have emerged from the Al Giraif Gharb neighborhood, as noted by spokesperson Seif Magango. Similar patterns of looting and criminal activities have been reported in Khartoum North and East Nile as SAF-affiliated fighters engage in widespread arrests.
The humanitarian crisis in the region is intensifying, particularly in Omdurman and Khartoum, where residential areas are increasingly targeted. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that a drone strike in East Khartoum’s Imtedaad Nasir area resulted in the deaths of five women and injuries to others. Furthermore, an artillery attack in Karari killed multiple civilians, including children, exacerbating the urgent need for humanitarian protection.
In North Darfur, the situation remains critical as armed confrontations around El Fasher have prompted thousands to seek refuge in the besieged Zamzam camp, which is grappling with famine. OCHA revealed that limited resources, security checkpoints, and halted water trucking have severely restricted civilian movement and access to necessary aid, increasing health risks.
The UN and humanitarian bodies are urging all parties to prioritize civilian protection and grant safe access to humanitarian assistance. OHCHR has called upon warring factions and influential external states to take decisive actions to safeguard civilians and address the growing lawlessness and impunity in Sudan.
The situation in Sudan is rapidly deteriorating, with civilians facing grave threats due to the intensification of hostilities in Khartoum and surrounding areas. With reports of targeted attacks, a worsening humanitarian crisis, and dire conditions in refugee camps, the international community must address these urgent issues. Ensuring the protection of civilians and facilitating unimpeded humanitarian access is paramount as organizations strive to alleviate suffering in the conflict-affected regions.
Original Source: news.un.org
