The UN reports escalating violence in Khartoum, with civilians suffering from shelling and looting by SAF and RSF. A humanitarian crisis in Omdurman worsens, with casualties from strikes and ongoing famine risks at Zamzam camp. The UN urges immediate action for civilian protection and aid access.
The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has reported severe violence in Khartoum, resulting in numerous civilian casualties, including humanitarian workers. The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has increasingly targeted civilians, with accounts of home raids, summary executions, detentions, and looting of essential supplies.
UN spokesperson Seif Magango expressed concern over allegations of sexual violence in Al Giraif Gharb and confirmed escalating violence as SAF-affiliated fighters also engage in similar activities in Khartoum North and East Nile, where arbitrary arrests are prevalent.
The humanitarian crisis continues to escalate in Omdurman and Khartoum, with targeted attacks on residential areas. A recent drone strike in East Khartoum resulted in five women killed and others injured, while artillery shelling in Karari led to multiple casualties, prompting the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to urge parties to cease targeting civilians.
In North Darfur, armed clashes have prompted thousands to evacuate to the besieged Zamzam camp, where famine looms. OCHA reveals that resource availability is critically diminished, and movement is severely restricted, hindering access to life-saving assistance. Water delivery has ceased due to security concerns, risking waterborne diseases in the camp.
The deteriorating situation has led the UN and various humanitarian organizations to advocate for the immediate protection of civilians and safe aid access. OHCHR urges both parties at war and influential states to take urgent actions to protect civilians and address the ongoing lawlessness and impunity in Sudan.
The report underscores a grave humanitarian crisis in Sudan, characterized by escalating violence predominantly affecting civilians. As conflict continues between the SAF and RSF, serious violations, including summary killings and sexual violence, have become rampant. The urgent calls for de-escalation and protection of civilians highlight the necessity for humanitarian access to alleviate suffering amidst this turmoil.
Original Source: news.un.org
