The UN OHCHR condemned rising civilian deaths amid intensified fighting between the SAF and RSF in Sudan. Reports of looting and executions by both sides were noted. The OCHA reported drone strikes and shelling, increasing humanitarian crises in Khartoum and North Darfur, where basic supplies are now critically limited. Violations of international humanitarian law were emphasized, warranting urgent global action.
The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has denounced the rising death toll among civilians in Sudan due to intensified clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), particularly in Khartoum. Both factions have been accused of violating international humanitarian law, looting civilian resources, and executing arbitrary detentions.
On a critical note, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported a tragic drone strike in East Khartoum that resulted in the deaths of five women and numerous injuries. Similarly, artillery shelling in Karari led to multiple fatalities and over 40 injuries, with residential areas increasingly under attack, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
In North Darfur, the situation has deteriorated alarmingly, with armed conflicts around El Fasher resulting in mass displacements. Many fled to Zamzam camp, where they face restricted movement due to checkpoints that hinder access to essential supplies, including food and medical aid. Without urgent intervention, the humanitarian situation is likely to worsen further.
The UN highlighted that the principle of distinction is essential in international humanitarian law, which mandates that combatants must differentiate between military objectives and civilians. Violations could constitute war crimes under the Rome Statute. Recently, the UN warned of a looming famine crisis in North Darfur linked to RSF assaults on villages. The UN World Food Programme has had to suspend humanitarian assistance due to ongoing hostilities, with the African Union calling Sudan’s situation one of the world’s most severe crises.
The condemnation by the United Nations underscores the severe humanitarian implications of the escalating conflict in Sudan. As armed groups disregard international humanitarian law, the suffering of civilians intensifies, necessitating urgent international attention and action. The deteriorating conditions in North Darfur and the suspension of humanitarian aid highlight the grave need for a resolution to the ongoing violence.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
