1-7 June: Civilians under attack across Darfur

9 Jun

By William Greenwood

Human Rights Watch accuses the army of killing scores of civilians in South Darfur airstrikes

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that the armed forces killed dozens of civilians in attacks using unguided air-dropped bombs on residential and commercial neighborhoods in Nyala, South Darfur, in early February.The Sudanese army has launched repeated attacks on Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, since the RSF took control of the city in late October 2023.
ACLED, which compiles data on conflicts worldwide, said the death toll from airstrikes in Nyala between February 2 and 4 ranged from 51 to 74 civilians killed, and dozens more wounded.
HRW said in a report that these attacks were indiscriminate because the bombs used have wide-area effects with limited accuracy and cannot be directed at a specific military target in populated areas.
“The Sudanese military hit densely populated residential and commercial neighborhoods in Nyala with inaccurate bombs,” said Jean-Baptiste Gallopin, senior researcher on crises, conflict, and arms at HRW.

At least 20 people were killed and 17 others wounded over two days as a result of RSF shelling on the Abu Shouk IDP camp in North Darfur.
The camp has been targeted daily by indiscriminate artillery and drone attacks by the RSF, resulting in dozens of civilian deaths and injuries.
A circular issued by the Abu Shouk Emergency Room stated that "14 people were killed yesterday, Wednesday, as a result of artillery shells fired by the RSF towards Naivasha in Abu Shouk camp.”
The majority of residents of Abu Shouk and El Fasher have been forced to dig underground shelters to protect themselves from artillery and drone attacks, yet large numbers of civilians are dying daily as a result of the indiscriminate shelling.

For the third year in a row, El Fasher’s markets have closed due to bombing and destruction, with an absence of shops selling even basic necessities, and families are facing difficulties securing food and medicine.
According to the Coordination of Resistance Committees in El Fasher, the city has been subjected to shelling since the early morning hours of Eid al-Adha, directly targeting residential neighbourhoods.
The Coordination confirmed in a post on its Facebook page that "the hearts of the people of El Fasher—despite the harsh conditions—remain fixed to the sky, praying amid the roar of the cannons."

Bill Greenwood