Escalating Violence in Sudan
Fierce clashes in southern and western Sudan have resulted in a tragic toll of at least 65 deaths and over 130 injuries reported on Monday, according to medical sources. The relentless conflict between the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces shows no signs of abating, with the violence intensifying across various regions.
In South Kordofan, artillery bombardments rocked the state capital, Kadugli, claiming at least 40 lives and injuring 70 others. Governor Mohamed Ibrahim has attributed the assault to a faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu, which is also active in the region. Ibrahim condemned the attacks, claiming they were aimed at destabilizing the area and expressed his determination to eliminate rebel forces surrounding Kadugli.
Civilian Casualties Amidst Military Strikes
Tragedy struck again in Darfur, where a military airstrike in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, resulted in 25 fatalities and 63 injuries on the same day. The strike targeted the Cinema District, an area currently under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). A medical source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the tragic details.
In response to the airstrike, the RSF accused the army of using ‘barrel bombs’ against civilians in various neighborhoods of Nyala. The RSF maintains significant control over much of Darfur, including Nyala, which lies 195 kilometers from El-Fasher, the only remaining region in the area still under army control.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
El-Fasher, home to around two million residents, has been under siege by the RSF since May, witnessing some of the conflict’s most intense fighting as the army strives to protect its last stronghold in the area. The ongoing violence has led to a significant humanitarian crisis, with many residents trapped and in desperate need of assistance.
According to the UN’s migration agency, more than 600,000 individuals have been displaced from North Darfur between April 2024 and January 2025. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported 95 incidents during this period, with over half occurring in El-Fasher, highlighting the dire consequences of the ongoing conflict.
Continued Clashes and Civilian Impact
The recent attacks in South Kordofan and Darfur coincide with escalating confrontations between the army and RSF in Khartoum. The army has reportedly made advances, regaining ground against paramilitary forces that have besieged key military headquarters since the conflict began.
In a particularly devastating incident over the weekend, at least 60 people were killed, and more than 150 injured when the RSF shelled a busy market in army-controlled Omdurman, part of greater Khartoum. Airstrikes on RSF-controlled areas in the capital have also resulted in civilian casualties, with rescuers confirming two deaths and numerous injuries.
Allegations of Targeting Civilians
Both the Sudanese army and RSF have faced accusations of deliberately targeting civilians and indiscriminately shelling residential neighborhoods. The ongoing conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and forcibly displaced over 12 million people, leaving Sudan’s already fragile infrastructure in ruins.
As the army pushes forward in Khartoum, UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric raised alarms over reports of summary executions of civilians in Khartoum North, allegedly carried out by militia forces allied to the army. He emphasized that many victims reportedly come from the conflict-ridden regions of Darfur and Kordofan.
Call for Peace Amidst the Chaos
Dujarric urged all involved parties to halt hostilities and pursue a sustainable peace, stressing that the ongoing fighting has severe repercussions on the lives of Sudanese women, children, and men. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate as the conflict rages on, drawing international concern and calls for urgent intervention.
The plight of civilians caught in the crossfire highlights the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, as the toll of violence mounts and the humanitarian crisis deepens across Sudan.
