Sudan air strike on mosque kills at least seven – lawyers

December 6, 2024 (KHARTOUM) – At least seven people were killed when Sudan’s army carried out an air strike on a mosque in the Shambat district of Khartoum Bahri on Friday, lawyers said.

Shambat has seen fierce clashes between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The army is trying to advance deeper into Bahri while the RSF defends its positions.

The Emergency Lawyers, a human rights group, said in a statement that the “Sheikh Ahmed al-Siddiq Mosque in the Shambat neighbourhood of Bahri was subjected to indiscriminate aerial bombardment today after Friday prayers, resulting in the death of seven worshippers and injuring a number of others.”

The statement added that the attack occurred as worshippers were leaving the mosque, which suffered partial damage.

According to initial testimonies, the bombing was carried out by a missile launched from a military aircraft, the statement said.

The Emergency Lawyers said the attack was part of a series of indiscriminate military assaults that do not distinguish between civilians and military targets.

It said the bombing of the mosque constitutes a crime against humanity and violates international humanitarian law, which prohibits targeting civilians and holy sites.

The group called for those responsible to be held accountable and urged increased humanitarian efforts to provide medical and psychological support to victims and their families.

In recent months, the Sudanese army’s air force has intensified attacks against suspected RSF positions in Khartoum, Gezira and Darfur, resulting in the deaths of many civilians.

Political forces, armed movements, and human rights bodies have called for a no-fly zone throughout Sudan.