Sudan: More than 185 people killed, 1,800 wounded, hospitals under attack

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Sudan: More than 185 people killed, 1,800 wounded, hospitals under attack

Khartoum, Sudan (Horn Oberver) – Fighting continues in many towns and cities in Sudan as two powerful generals battled for control.

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Photo: UN

Khartoum, Sudan (Horn Oberver) – Fighting continues in many towns and cities in Sudan as two powerful generals battled for control.

According to the United Nations, much of the fighting has been concentrated in heavily populated parts of the capital Khartoum and residential areas of cities elsewhere in the country. Air strikes and artillery shelling, including the use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects, have exposed civilians to risk of death and injury, the High Commissioner said. In the four days since fighting began, at least 185 people have been killed and 1,800 wounded.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for an immediate cessation to hostilities in Sudan and pleaded with the Sudan Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to return to the negotiating table.

"Sudan has already endured so much pain and suffering. The fighting is born out of power games and personal interests that only serve to alienate the democratic aspirations of the population,” Türk said. "Do those responsible not understand that the civilian population now only craves a peaceful life?”

According to Doctors, Hospitals, which are trying to treat the growing numbers of wounded people, have been attacked. One overwhelmed medical center was shelled. Paramilitary fighters then barged inside, ordered that patients be evacuated and took up positions.

The E.U.’s ambassador was assaulted in his home, though he was not injured. And even though millions of residents of the capital don’t have water or electricity, few are venturing out.

Volker Perthes, the United Nations envoy to Sudan, said gunmen have been looting, attacking and burning the warehouses, guesthouses and offices of U.N. aid agencies, including the World Food Program, Unicef and the United Nations Development Program. The attacks have made it nearly impossible for the U.N. to carry out aid relief operations, he said, adding that the situation is fluid and unpredictable.

"Everyone is afraid,” said a 28-year-old who went out to try to charge his cellphone. "You can see it in their eyes. People are panicking.”

The violence in Sudan, Africa’s third-largest country by area, seems not to be ending, the terrified local residents are saying.

The battles are the culmination of a long-brewing conflict between two generals, who together seized power in a coup in 2021. They have now turned against each other after rebuffing attempts to allow a transition to civilian rule.

Attempted Rape

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk also said he was appalled by reports of attempted rape.

He called for prompt, thorough and independent investigations into the killings of civilians, including three staff of the UN’s World Food Programme, along with other reported violations. Those responsible must be held to account, Türk added.

"Only a few weeks ago, Sudan appeared to be on the right path towards an agreement that would restore civilian rule,” he said. "Common sense must prevail, and all parties must act to de-escalate tensions. The shared interests of the Sudanese people must come first.”