Rising Bloodshed in Sudan: Civilians Bear the Brunt of Intensified Conflict
International News Department 11-12-2024
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has entered a new phase of intensity, leaving a devastating toll on civilians as clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) escalate. Over just two days, dozens of people have lost their lives in what rights groups and officials describe as some of the bloodiest fighting to date.
The nearly 20-month-long war has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions. Recent developments indicate a sharp increase in civilian casualties as the SAF ramps up airstrikes on RSF-controlled territories, while the paramilitary forces retaliate with heavy artillery and targeted raids.
In Kabkabiya, a strategic town west of North Darfur’s capital, El Fasher, an airstrike targeted a bustling marketplace on Monday, leaving over 100 dead and hundreds injured. The attack, described by rights group Emergency Lawyers as indiscriminate and devastating, reportedly affected women and children among the casualties. While the SAF has denied responsibility, citing military necessity, there has been no official response from the RSF regarding the incident.
On Tuesday, the violence spilled into Omdurman, part of Sudan’s wider capital region. RSF forces shelled army-controlled areas, resulting in catastrophic civilian losses. According to Ahmed Othman Hamza, the state-appointed governor of Khartoum, at least 65 civilians were killed and hundreds wounded in what he condemned as a “massacre.” Among the tragic incidents, a passenger bus was directly hit, killing all 22 passengers onboard. A hospital source in Omdurman reported receiving dozens of casualties, underscoring the dire state of Sudan’s healthcare infrastructure, which is now operating at a fraction of its pre-conflict capacity.
In North Darfur’s Zamzam displacement camp, artillery shelling by the RSF claimed five lives. Meanwhile, a separate incident in North Kordofan saw six fatalities after the delayed explosion of a crashed drone. These attacks further illustrate the indiscriminate nature of the violence, where even the most vulnerable populations are not spared.
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has reached alarming levels. Over 11 million people have been displaced, creating the largest hunger crisis globally, according to the United Nations. The healthcare system is collapsing, with 80 percent of facilities in affected areas either non-functional or barely operational. Adding to the crisis, nearly 10,000 people are fleeing daily across the border into South Sudan, with the rate of displacement tripling in recent weeks.
The war erupted in April 2023 due to a power struggle between the SAF and RSF during the nation’s planned transition to civilian rule. Both factions have been accused of committing atrocities, including targeting civilians, which the United Nations has indicated may constitute war crimes.
As the international community struggles to intervene effectively, Sudan teeters on the brink of an even greater humanitarian and security collapse. The plight of its citizens grows direr with each passing day, demanding urgent global attention and action.
