Sudanese army attack on Red Cross convoy kills two people in Khartoum

December 10, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese army has acknowledged firing upon a humanitarian convoy of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) near Khartoum, resulting in two fatalities and injuring seven individuals, including three ICRC staff members.

The convoy, comprising three ICRC vehicles and three buses clearly marked with the organization’s emblem, was on its way to evacuate over a hundred vulnerable civilians from Khartoum to Wad Madani when it was targeted as it entered the evacuation zone.

In a stern statement, the ICRC expressed its profound shock and dismay at the deliberate attack on its humanitarian mission.

The organization underscored that the evacuation operation had been carefully coordinated with all parties involved in the conflict, who had provided both approval and the required security guarantees.

Pierre Dorbes, the head of the ICRC’s delegation in Sudan, condemned the assault, stating, “This attack is unacceptable, and we are grief-stricken. I am shocked by the total disrespect for the Red Cross emblem, which must be respected and protected in accordance with international humanitarian law.

In contrast, Sudanese army spokesperson Nabil Abdallah claimed that the ICRC convoy had deviated from the agreed-upon itinerary and was accompanied by a rebel vehicle armed with a 12.7mm machine gun crew, which approached their defensive positions.

The army had established an agreement with the ICRC to evacuate civilians (including foreign nationals) trapped in the Church of St. Mary in Khartoum’s Al-Shajara district.

The Al-Shajara military region in southern Khartoum, home to army bases, including the Armored Corps and munition factory, has been a battleground for fierce clashes between the two opposing forces for several months.

A statement released by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) insisted that their forces escorting the humanitarian convoy had withdrawn to their last position.

They added, “The Red Cross delegation proceeded independently in accordance with the coordination and itinerary agreed upon between the parties, and when Red Cross vehicles entered areas under the control of the armed forces, they were subjected to heavy fire from a force affiliated with the armed forces.”

This attack comes amidst the ongoing armed confrontations between government forces and the RSF in Sudan.

(ST)