Sudanese Army Accused of Targeting Civilians Amid Escalating Conflict

As Sudan’s brutal civil war continues, reports of grave human rights violations by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) against civilians have surfaced, painting a grim picture of life in conflict zones. Eyewitness accounts and human rights organizations indicate that the army has engaged in indiscriminate shelling, airstrikes, and mass detentions, disproportionately affecting civilians in urban and rural areas alike.

Residents of Omdurman, Khartoum’s twin city, describe a harrowing existence under continuous bombardment. “The army shells our neighborhoods every night,” said Ahmed, a 34-year-old shopkeeper. “We hear explosions, and by morning, we find bodies in the streets.” Reports from independent monitoring groups suggest that at least 120 civilians have been killed in the past two months due to SAF artillery and air raids.

A particularly devastating strike hit a crowded market in Bahri (Khartoum North) last month, killing over 40 people, including women and children. “There were no fighters there, just ordinary people trying to buy food,” said Fatima, a survivor who lost her husband in the attack.

Beyond direct violence, the Sudanese army has been accused of systematically detaining civilians suspected of sympathizing with opposition groups. According to Sudanese human rights organizations, at least 500 individuals, including activists and journalists, have been arrested since October 2024. Many families report that their relatives were taken from their homes and have not been seen since.

One such case is that of Mustafa, a 22-year-old university student, who was taken by security forces last month. “They stormed our house, blindfolded him, and dragged him away,” his mother recounted. “We have not heard from him since.” Human rights lawyers warn that these forced disappearances resemble patterns of state repression seen in Sudan’s past military regimes.

Hospitals and medical centers have also become targets. In late December 2024, an airstrike hit Al-Nau Hospital in Omdurman, killing three doctors and several patients. The hospital had been treating civilians wounded in previous attacks. The World Health Organization condemned the strike, calling it a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.

Doctors working in war-affected areas report severe shortages of medical supplies. “Patients die because we don’t have the necessary equipment,” said Dr. Khalid, a surgeon in a makeshift clinic. “And those who survive often face infections and complications due to the lack of proper care.”

The international community has expressed concern, but concrete action remains limited. The United Nations and African Union have urged all parties to respect human rights and protect civilians, yet violations continue with impunity. Human Rights Watch has called for an independent investigation into SAF’s actions, emphasizing the need for accountability for war crimes.

Meanwhile, Sudanese civil society organizations continue to document abuses in hopes of bringing perpetrators to justice. “We cannot let these crimes go unpunished,” said a spokesperson for the Sudanese Human Rights Initiative. “The world must act before more innocent lives are lost.”

As the conflict drags on, civilians remain caught in the crossfire, facing death, displacement, and destruction. Without urgent intervention, Sudan’s humanitarian crisis will only deepen, leaving millions at the mercy of relentless violence.