Sudan on Brink of Civil War as Airstrike Kills Civilians, UN Warns

Credit: Pexels

Sudan’s Escalating Crisis: UN Warns of Civil War as Airstrike Claims Innocent Lives

Sudan teeters on the brink of a devastating civil war, raising concerns of regional destabilization, according to a stark warning from the United Nations. The crisis escalated further when an airstrike targeted a residential area in Omdurman, a sister city to Khartoum, resulting in the deaths of approximately 22 civilians.

The health ministry confirmed the casualties, reporting “22 dead and a large number of wounded among the civilians” in the strike that occurred in the Dar al-Salam district. The airstrike follows nearly three months of conflict between rival Sudanese generals, with a reported death toll of 3,000 and 6,000 wounded.

Disturbing video footage shared by the health ministry on Facebook showed lifeless bodies, including women, in the aftermath of the airstrike. The narrator confirmed the death count of 22.

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), engaged in combat with the regular army, claimed responsibility for the strike, attributing it to the military. However, the military denied the allegations, stating that its air force did not conduct any airstrikes in the city on the previous day.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says Sudan is on the brink of a “full-scale civil war,” warning that it could likely destabilize the entire region as fierce clashes between rival generals continued unabated in the capital, Khartoum. https://t.co/nKUn9wV1qV

— The Associated Press (@AP) July 9, 2023

During the course of the war, paramilitary groups have established bases in residential areas, forcing civilians to flee their homes. As reported by the International Organization for Migration, this has led to further displacement, with nearly 3 million people uprooted by the fighting, including approximately 700,000 who have sought refuge in neighboring countries.

The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, condemned the Omdurman airstrike, expressing deep concern over Sudan’s descent into a potential full-scale civil war. Guterres emphasized the dangerous and disturbing disregard for humanitarian and human rights law exhibited throughout the conflict.

Clashes between the military and RSF forces continued in various regions of Sudan, including North Kordofan, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile. The UN and African blocs have highlighted an ethnic dimension to the conflict in Darfur, with the RSF and allied militias facing allegations of widespread violations.

In a show of support, the UN endorsed the efforts of the African Union and the East African bloc Igad to resolve Sudan’s crisis. On Monday, leaders from Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and South Sudan, representing Igad members dealing with the Sudan file, are set to meet in Addis Ababa. Although Sudan’s army chief and the RSF commander have been invited to attend, their participation remains uncertain.