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Sudan Air Strikes Result in Heavy Casualties Amid Ongoing Conflict

Recent air strikes conducted by the Sudanese military have resulted in the deaths of at least 23 individuals and left over 40 others injured in the southern region of Khartoum, the capital city. This tragic event showcases the continuing toll of a civil war that has spanned 18 months and has had devastating consequences for the civilian population.

The strikes on Saturday primarily targeted a significant camp of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) located in southern Khartoum. The air attacks also struck a central market and adjacent residential areas, impacting traders, shoppers, and local residents alike. The indiscriminate nature of the strikes underscores the perilous conditions faced by civilians in conflict zones.

The RSF has been engaged in a brutal struggle against the Sudanese military, with reports estimating that the civil unrest has resulted in approximately 150,000 fatalities and displaced around one-fifth of the nation’s populace, according to United Nations assessments.

The injured victims are currently receiving treatment in local hospitals, as reported by a spokesperson from Emergency Response Rooms, a Nobel Prize-nominated rescue network. Hospitals in the area are reportedly overwhelmed by the influx of casualties, hampering the ability to provide adequate medical care.

Following a surge in violence that began on Friday, intense fighting has escalated in areas of Khartoum largely controlled by the RSF. The military has ramped up its airstrikes in central and southern parts of the city as combat continues. Witnesses have observed military forces making advances toward Khartoum from the nearby city of Omdurman, where clashes erupted just the day before the strikes.

In a related development, the Sudanese government recently presented what it claims is new evidence to the United Nations Security Council, suggesting that the United Arab Emirates is providing arms and support to the RSF. The government has urged the international community to take action against the UAE, although the Gulf state has consistently denied these allegations.

Both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF have been accused of perpetrating grave human rights violations and atrocities against civilians. The United Nations has expressed grave concerns over the relentless hostilities, stating that they have caused profound suffering to millions, leading to one of the fastest-growing displacement crises in the world.

The UN further emphasized that Sudan now faces what it describes as “the world’s largest hunger crisis,” highlighting the dire humanitarian situation that continues to unfold amidst the ongoing conflict.

Source
www.bbc.com