The UN’s Volker Turk warns of rising attacks on civilians amidst Sudan’s conflict between SAF and RSF, resulting in numerous deaths. Turbulence has spread to South Sudan, prompting violence against Sudanese refugees. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on SAF’s leader for war crimes, as the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate with millions displaced and in need.
Civilians in Sudan are increasingly becoming victims in the ongoing struggle for dominance between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the rival paramilitary group, Rapid Support Forces (RSF). UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has issued a warning about the escalating direct and ethnically motivated attacks against civilians amid the prolonged conflict, which has persisted for nearly two years.
Since the conflict began in April 2023, the situation for civilians has deteriorated, with reports indicating numerous fatalities resulting from targeted assaults in Al Gezira state. Recent documentation by the UN Human Rights Office revealed at least 21 civilian deaths from two significant attacks within the past week alone.
While SAF has regained control of Al Gezira’s capital, Wad Medani, RSF continues to assert influence over several areas in the strategic province south of Khartoum. A pro-democracy group, Emergency Lawyers, reported that RSF fighters attacked Al Khizan village, resulting in 15 deaths and over 20 injuries, displacing the local populace.
Furthermore, SAF fighters have been implicated in assaults against individuals from Sudan’s Darfur region in Al Gezira, evidenced by video footage that surfaced showing the brutal treatment of Darfur natives, accused of supporting RSF. These incidents have prompted condemnation from both Sudanese human rights organizations and the United Nations.
The violence has further escalated across borders, affecting South Sudan where videos claimed to show SAF fighters attacking South Sudanese individuals of black African descent incited retaliatory violence against Sudanese refugees in the capital, Juba. Mobs targeting Sudanese-owned properties resulted in three fatalities and numerous injuries.
In response to the escalating tensions, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has urged his citizens to refrain from violent actions, while the government imposed a curfew in Juba and assured protection for Sudanese nationals. Sudan’s Foreign Ministry thanked the South Sudanese government for its cooperation and urged citizens to exercise caution.
The United States has also taken action, imposing sanctions on SAF leader Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, accusing him of war crimes associated with the ongoing conflict. The Sudanese Foreign Ministry condemned the sanctions as unjust and accused the US of bias while highlighting the serious humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan, where millions are in urgent need of assistance.
The conflict in Sudan has emerged as one of the world’s most severe humanitarian disasters, displacing over 11.5 million individuals and contributing to tens of thousands of deaths since its onset. The deteriorating situation calls for urgent attention and intervention from the international community to safeguard the rights and lives of civilians affected by the ongoing violence.
The civil war in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has led to a significant humanitarian crisis, characterized by widespread violence and extreme hardship for civilians. The conflict is primarily between two factions: the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been battling for control, leading to direct, ethnically motivated attacks against non-combatants. As the situation escalates, there is an urgent need for international intervention to address the humanitarian implications and protect civilians caught in the conflict.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan poses severe threats to civilian safety, with alarming reports of targeted attacks becoming increasingly prevalent. The worsening situation has led to mass displacements and fatalities, as the SAF and RSF continue their violent struggle for power. The international community’s response, including sanctions and calls for protection, highlights the critical nature of this humanitarian crisis that demands immediate action to protect lives and uphold human rights.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
