The violence in Khartoum, Sudan, has escalated, with multiple civilian casualties reported due to artillery and aerial attacks. The UN’s OHCHR has condemned the targeting of civilians by both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, highlighting summary killings, arbitrary detentions, and looting in affected areas. The humanitarian crisis is deepening, and urgent calls for de-escalation and safe access for aid are being made.

Recent reports from the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) indicate that hostilities in Khartoum, Sudan, have intensified, with numerous civilians, including humanitarian volunteers, suffering casualties from artillery shelling and aerial bombardments. The escalating violence stems from the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), significantly impacting civilian lives.

Credible accounts reveal that RSF fighters and their allied militias have conducted raids in eastern Khartoum. These raids involve summary executions, arbitrary detentions, and the looting of essential supplies from community resources. The OHCHR’s spokesperson, Seif Magango, noted concerning allegations of sexual violence occurring in the Al Giraif Gharb neighborhood.

Additionally, SAF-affiliated fighters have perpetrated similar offenses in Khartoum North (Bahri) and East Nile, where arbitrary arrests are reportedly widespread. The humanitarian crisis in Omdurman and Khartoum is rapidly escalating, with residential areas increasingly subjected to attacks. A recent drone strike in East Khartoum’s Imtedaad Nasir area resulted in the deaths of five women and numerous injuries, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

On the previous day, artillery fire in Karari, north of Omdurman, caused multiple fatalities and over 40 injuries, including those of children. In light of these developments, OCHA has urgently appealed to all parties to cease targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.

In North Darfur, armed conflicts around El Fasher have led to significant displacement, with thousands seeking refuge at the beleaguered Zamzam camp, which is currently under siege and facing famine. OCHA reports that resources in the camp are severely strained, and checkpoints surrounding it are obstructing the movement of civilians, isolating them from vital humanitarian assistance.

The interruption of water deliveries has raised the risk of waterborne diseases spreading within the camp, exacerbating the dire situation. OCHA has reiterated its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities across Sudan and for unrestricted humanitarian access to deliver lifesaving aid to those in desperate need.

Given the deteriorating circumstances, the UN, alongside humanitarian agencies, is calling upon all involved parties to prioritize civilian protection and facilitate safe humanitarian access. The OHCHR has stressed the importance of both warring factions and influential States taking definitive actions to protect civilians effectively and to curb the prevailing lawlessness and impunity in the region.

The situation in Sudan, particularly in Khartoum, remains critical as violence continues to escalate, targeting innocent civilians and humanitarian efforts. Reports of severe human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests and sexual violence, highlight the urgent need for international intervention. The call for a cessation of hostilities and unimpeded humanitarian access is critical for alleviating the worsening humanitarian crisis and ensuring that aid reaches those in need.

Original Source: news.un.org

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