Sudan INGOs Warn of Rising Civilian Casualties from Explosive Weapons

Humanitarian groups call for urgent action to protect civilians as airstrikes and shelling intensify.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov. 8 2024 (BG) — International NGOs working in Sudan have raised serious concerns about the growing use of explosive weapons in densely populated civilian areas, reporting severe civilian casualties.

Initial reports of recent airstrikes in Omdurman, just west of Khartoum, indicate that over 62 civilians were killed, with more than 200 others injured, some critically.

The airstrikes in the Amiriya neighborhood and Gandahar Market in Ombada reportedly involved barrel bombs, which decimated homes, markets, and businesses.

Fires sparked by the bombings added to the fatalities.

The frequency and intensity of airstrikes and shelling have surged in recent weeks, severely impacting civilians, disrupting local markets, and undermining access to essential services.

Meanwhile, humanitarian access remains heavily restricted across Sudan, compounding the suffering of those caught in the conflict and those attempting to flee.

The Sudan INGO Forum, representing 70 international NGOs in the country, urged all parties in the conflict to honor their commitments to civilian protection and to refrain from using high-impact weapons in populated areas.

They reminded combatants that international humanitarian law prohibits attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, even during war.

INGOs also called on the international community to immediately support protective measures for civilians and ensure humanitarian access—actions they emphasized must not be delayed or tied to political negotiations or ceasefires.

This appeal aims to prevent further loss of life and address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

The power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted into a large-scale conflict in April 2023 and has been driving humanitarian needs in the country ever since. Conservative estimates say the conflict has killed at least 15,500 people, while some estimates are as high as 150,000, and counting.