Human Rights Watch has reported that attacks by armed groups in Sudan on January 10, 2025, targeted civilians in the village of Tayba, constituting potential war crimes. The Sudan Shield Forces (SSF) were involved in these assaults, which led to numerous civilian deaths and destruction of property. The investigative report calls for accountability and highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) reports that on January 10, 2025, Sudanese armed groups targeted civilians in an attack on the village of Tayba, constituting war crimes. These attacks, which involved the Sudan Shield Forces (SSF), the al-Baraa Ibn Malik battalion, and other militias, occurred amid a broader effort by the SSF to reclaim control of the territories held by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). HRW’s investigation calls on the Sudanese government to hold these groups accountable.
The SSF, led by Abu Aqla Keikal, was reported to have indiscriminately fired at men and boys during the assault, causing significant civilian casualties, including the death of 26 individuals, among them a child. Witnesses described the attackers as heavily armed, stating they not only shot at civilians but also looted property and set homes ablaze. The SSF returned to the village later in the day to commit further violence against the residents.
HRW notes that the Geneva Conventions classify the killing of civilians and the destruction of property as war crimes. The principles of command responsibility indicate that military and civilian leaders can be held criminally accountable for actions committed by their subordinates.
The report urges a thorough investigation of the attacks, suspension of the SSF, and clearer communication from the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) regarding their relationship with the SSF. Recommendations for international action include support for civilian protection efforts and sanctions from the US, UK, and EU against implicated individuals.
Since 2023, Sudan’s civil war has caused immense human suffering, with millions displaced and widespread human rights violations reported. The ongoing conflict pits the SAF, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, against the RSF under General Mohamed Dagalo. This situation has escalated to a catastrophic humanitarian emergency, as termed by the UN.
A forthcoming UN report emphasizes the pervasive impunity that facilitates ongoing human rights abuses. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk emphasized the necessity of accountability at all levels to address the cycle of violence and human rights violations in Sudan.
The report from Human Rights Watch highlights serious allegations against Sudanese armed groups for committing war crimes against civilians. Calls for accountability and international intervention reflect the urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis fueled by ongoing conflicts in Sudan, alongside the recommendation for protective measures for civilians.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
