Sudanese market experiences tragic loss of at least 21 lives due to airstrike amidst persisting civil conflict
At least 21 civilians perished and 63 got injured during the air raid on Sunday, as stated by Sennar's acting governor Tawfiq Muhammad Ali on Monday, as reported by the state-run news agency SUNA.
The aerial assault, allegedly perpetrated by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), was also confirmed by advocacy group Emergency Lawyers, which monitors human rights violations and civilian casualties. The lawyers' group stated that over 30 people lost their lives in the RSF assault, which targeted a market and other civilian sites.
The RSF, which gained almost complete control of the city following its seizure in July, has yet to respond to these allegations.
Similar airstrikes in proximity to al-Souki town that claimed 4 lives were also attributed to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) by the activist group.
CNN has attempted to get comments from the Sudanese army and the RSF. Both parties have frequently implicated each other in the killing of civilians as their conflict stretches into its second year.
The conflict has resulted in at least 18,000 fatalities and forced over 10 million people to flee since April 2023. The strife has also precipitated "one of the most severe humanitarian crises" as per the United Nations, with more than half of the country's populace facing extreme hunger.
On Friday, a UN investigation into the Sudanese conflict found that both warring parties have committed an "extensive range" of human rights infringements that "could qualify as war crimes."
Some of the transgressions by the SAF and RSF included "indiscriminate and targeted assaults through airstrikes and artillery strikes against civilians, schools, hospitals, communication networks, and essential water and electricity supplies," according to the UN report.
The report advocated for the deployment of an independent military force to safeguard civilians and a nationwide weapons embargo.
These recommendations were turned down by the Sudanese foreign ministry which condemned the UN report.
Despite the UN report highlighting human rights violations by both the SAF and RSF in Sudan, resulting in civilian casualties and a severe humanitarian crisis, Africa continues to be a significant focus of international concern due to such conflicts. The world watches closely as Sudan navigates this challenging period.
