In a turbulent week marked by escalations and violations, reports from the Sudan War Observatory have documented a series of incidents underscoring the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
General al-Burhan’s military intelligence (SAF) forces reportedly arrested over 90 displaced individuals from the Nuba Mountains region on October 2 in Shendi, River Nile State.
This group, consisting of 25 women, 54 children, and 16 men, had fled Khartoum Bahri to escape conflict but were detained by military intelligence upon arrival in Shendi.
The Nuba Mountains Lawyers Union condemned the detentions, citing grave humanitarian concerns for those held, while families awaiting news of the detainees face deteriorating conditions in local church courtyards.
Additionally, the SAF launched an airstrike on Khartoum’s central market on October 12, resulting in the deaths of 23 civilians and injuries to over 40 others, many in critical condition.
Survivors were rushed to hospitals in dire need of medical support, including Bashayer, Al-Razi, and Al-Raqi. Witnesses report that the injured primarily included market vendors and civilians who were in the vicinity of the bombings.
Humanitarian Crisis Worsens Amid Mass Displacement
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) released findings indicating a staggering 14 million Sudanese civilians have been displaced since April 2023, with 11 million internally displaced and 3 million forced to seek refuge in neighboring countries, such as Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan.
The ongoing conflict has strained basic resources in many parts of the country, with shelters often lacking essential supplies, and health epidemics threatening displaced populations.
The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies has condemned ongoing ethnically-motivated attacks in Darfur and Kordofan, documenting a concerning rise in civilian targeting in the regions, which remains rampant amidst aerial bombings by the SAF targeting areas believed to harbor RSF support.
Women, Children Bear the Brunt of the Violence
Local health and rights organizations report escalating violence against women and children, noting that maternal mortality rates have surged as war disrupts healthcare services, leaving many women reliant on unsafe, home-based births.
In a tragic development, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) announced it had ceased malnutrition care for children in North Darfur’s Zamzam camp after running out of medical supplies due to armed blockades.
Rights groups and humanitarian organizations have voiced urgent appeals for increased support and international condemnation as the crisis continues to deepen, leaving countless Sudanese civilians in perilous conditions without immediate relief in sight.
