22 civilians killed following airstrikes in Sudan’s capital
July 8, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – On Saturday, a series of airstrikes by the Sudanese army on the neighbourhoods of Omdurman resulted in the tragic loss of at least 22 lives, with numerous others sustaining injuries.
Over the past few days, the Sudanese army has launched intensive air raids on various Rapid Support sites across the capital, Khartoum, with a particular focus on Omdurman, where the RSF enhanced their presence during the second month of the war.
These strikes, which are coupled with grounds attack, have also targeted areas such as North Khartoum Bahri, near Halfaya Bridge, the Medical Department of Rapid Support near Shambat Bridge, as well as the neighbourhoods of Al-Mamoura and Arkaweet in eastern Khartoum.
The Facebook page of the Khartoum State Ministry of Health announced the death of 22 people due to airstrikes in Omdurman.
“At dawn on Saturday, July 8, 2023, warplanes conducted airstrikes in Dar es Salaam Al-Amriya, located west of the Libyan market in the city of Omdurman, resulting in 22 casualties and numerous injuries,” said the short statement
The page, which is administrated by an independent professional and used to post accurate reports, further displays a video about the attack, but the military-led government did not confirm the incident.
In New York, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the airstrike that killed 22 civilians in Omdurman and called on the warring parties to commit to a durable cessation of hostilities.
“He also urges these parties to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law to protect civilians and to enable humanitarian action,” stressed the statement.
In a statement released on Saturday, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed that the airstrike killed 31 civilians.
The Sudanese army spokesperson Brig Gen Nabil Abdallah asserted that the armed forces continue combing operations against the “rebel groups” in Khartoum, Khartoum North, and Omdurman.
Abdallah emphasized that operations against the RSF are progressing as planned. He further said the militia remains active in residential areas, imposing levies on citizens leaving the capital and forcibly displacing residents from specific areas.
According to the Sudanese Ministry of Health, the ongoing conflict between the army and the RSF has claimed the lives of at least 1,133 individuals in the capital and the Kordofan and Darfur regions.
However, independent reports suggest a higher death toll, reaching approximately 3,000 people.
UN agencies estimate that more than 2.9 million individuals have been displaced from their homes, with approximately 700,000 seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.
(ST)