Air strike kills dozens in southern Khartoum

October 13, 2024 (KHARTOUM) – At least 23 people were killed and 40 wounded in an air strike by the Sudanese army on civilian areas in southern Khartoum on Saturday, activists reported.

The attack comes amid a surge of attacks by the army on the positions of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group.

The airstrikes targeted the Southern Belt region, hitting a busy market area and residential buildings. Among the casualties were tea sellers, shoppers, and residents of nearby apartments.

“The bombing caused massive destruction that affected a large number of high-rise buildings in the central market area,” said Mohamed Kandisha, a spokesperson for the Southern Belt Emergency Room.

He added that hospitals were struggling to cope with the influx of injured civilians.

The Southern Belt, comprising several neighbourhoods, including Al-Ingaz, Al-Salama, and Al-Azhari, has been a battleground between the army and the RSF since the conflict erupted in April. The area is frequently subjected to artillery fire and aerial bombardment, resulting in numerous civilian casualties.

This latest attack is part of a major offensive launched by the army on September 26th to reclaim areas under RSF control. However, the army’s increased reliance on air power has drawn criticism from human rights groups who accuse them of indiscriminate bombing and endangering civilians.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has triggered a humanitarian crisis, with widespread displacement and shortages of essential supplies. The international community has called for both sides to protect civilians and allow access to humanitarian aid.