The UN Human Rights Office reports significant civilian casualties due to escalating violence in Khartoum, where the ongoing conflict between SAF and RSF intensifies. Humanitarian conditions are deteriorating, with targeted attacks on residential areas and severe restrictions on aid access reported in North Darfur. Urgent calls for an end to hostilities and civilian protection are being made by OCHA and other humanitarian entities.
The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has reported that dozens of civilians, including humanitarian volunteers, have been killed due to artillery shelling and aerial bombardments in eastern Khartoum, Sudan. The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues to severely impact civilian populations. The OHCHR condemns the escalating violence, highlighting credible reports of summary executions, arbitrary detentions, and theft of essential supplies by RSF fighters and allied militias.
Specific incidents include alarming allegations of sexual violence reported in the Al Giraif Gharb neighborhood, which were confirmed by OHCHR spokesperson Seif Magango. In parallel, SAF-affiliated fighters are also engaging in similar acts of looting and arbitrary arrests, particularly in Khartoum North (Bahri) and East Nile.
The humanitarian situation in both Omdurman and Khartoum is deteriorating, with targeted assaults on residential areas. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported a drone strike in East Khartoum’s Imtedaad Nasir area that resulted in the deaths of five women and multiple injuries. Artillery shelling in the Karari area led to further casualties and injuries among civilians, prompting OCHA to urge all parties to cease attacks on civilians and vital infrastructure.
In North Darfur, escalating violence has prompted thousands to seek refuge in Zamzam camp, now under siege. Severe restrictions due to armed conflicts prevent essential resources and services from reaching those in need, with checkpoints obstructing civilian movement and hampering life-saving aid access. Furthermore, the suspension of water trucking raises the risk of waterborne diseases developing within the camp.
Organizations including OCHA are calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities throughout Sudan and demanding unimpeded humanitarian access to those in dire need. The UN and various humanitarian agencies emphasize the necessity for all parties to prioritize civilian protection and enable safe access for humanitarian assistance. OHCHR has reiterated the need for tangible actions from both warring factions and influential states to ensure the effective protection of civilians, ending the current lawlessness.
The conflict in Sudan poses a grave threat to civilian lives as reported by the OHCHR, with alarming incidents of violence and human rights abuses. The deteriorating humanitarian situation, particularly in Khartoum and North Darfur, necessitates immediate international intervention and support for humanitarian aid. Calls for a ceasefire and the protection of civilians are crucial in mitigating the impact of this conflict on vulnerable populations.
Original Source: www.miragenews.com
