In a recent three-day assault near Khartoum, Sudanese paramilitaries killed over 200 people, with the government claiming the toll could exceed 433. The violence has caused mass displacement and humanitarian crises, with reports of severe human rights abuses, including executions and sexual violence. Both sides in the conflict face accusations of war crimes, prompting calls for international legal oversight and intervention.
Sudanese paramilitaries have reportedly killed over 200 individuals in a recent three-day assault near Khartoum, according to a human rights advocacy group, the Emergency Lawyers network. They documented extensive human rights violations amid the ongoing conflict that has persisted for nearly two years between rival security forces. The government, supported by the army, claims the death toll surpasses 433, including children.
The villages of al-Kadaris and al-Khelwat, located in White Nile state approximately 100 km south of Khartoum, were targeted during this deadly attack. Thousands of villagers were forced to flee, with numerous reports indicating that paramilitary forces opened fire on civilians as they attempted to escape across the White Nile. The situation has led many to fear for the safety of those unaccounted for, some of whom may have drowned.
Concerns have been raised regarding severe human rights abuses during these attacks. Reports have emerged from the UN indicating that women were subjected to rape, and thousands of families were displaced as the violence escalated. According to Emergency Lawyers, during this three-day period, paramilitary fighters committed heinous acts against unarmed civilians, including executions, kidnappings, and looting.
The ongoing war in Sudan, which started in April 2023, has already resulted in numerous war crimes allegations against both the army and paramilitary forces. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been specifically accused of committing genocide against non-Arab minorities in the Darfur region, characterized by summary executions and systematic sexual violence aimed at these populations.
Conflict in Sudan has triggered one of the largest humanitarian crises in history, displacing over 12 million people and claiming tens of thousands of lives. The RSF’s military control is split with the army in White Nile State, complicating the fight for power in the region. The few medical sources highlight the extreme difficulty in verifying the death toll, as numerous bodies remain in inaccessible areas.
The violence has recently intensified, with reports suggesting the army is intensifying its operations to regain dominance in Khartoum. Emergency Lawyers accused the army of brutal assaults targeting civilians, claiming that individuals suspected of collusion with the RSF faced killings and forced disappearances. Meanwhile, the UN’s children’s agency warned that children in Khartoum are trapped in perilous conditions amid rampant violence.
The UN human rights office emphasized the widespread issues of human rights violations across Sudan, pointing to the rise of impunity as a contributing factor. These ongoing violations, which include summary executions and sexual violence, highlight a significant failure by both sides to uphold international humanitarian law, leading to calls from the UN for an expanded arms embargo and revisions in the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.
Intensifying violence in Darfur is marked by RSF efforts to consolidate its power, especially as they target El Fasher, the last remaining major city under government control in the region. This alarming situation underscores the gravity of the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Sudan, necessitating urgent international attention and action.
The recent surge in violence in Sudan, particularly the horrific killings by paramilitary forces, underscores the escalating humanitarian crisis and systemic human rights violations. The conflicting narratives regarding the casualties highlight the difficulties in obtaining accurate data amidst ongoing warfare. Calls for international intervention and legal accountability grow as both the army and RSF are implicated in war crimes and crimes against humanity, leaving innocent civilians to bear the brunt of the conflict.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
