A Sudanese rights group has accused a force affiliated with the Sudanese army of attacking unarmed civilians near Jabra al-Sheikh in North Kordofan, killing five people and wounding more than 10 others, including women and children.
Emergency Lawyers said in a statement on Wednesday that, according to preliminary information it received, an armed vehicle belonging to an army force left Jabra al-Sheikh on Monday and moved towards areas northeast of the town.
The group said the force targeted farmers, herders and other civilians in their homes, farms and grazing areas despite there being no fighting or clashes in the area at the time.
According to the statement, Sheikh Awadallah Abdullah, his son and another man were among those killed, while two other civilians were reportedly killed at separate locations.
Emergency Lawyers also said members of the force detained a number of civilians during the operation before the armed vehicle returned to Jabra al-Sheikh. The fate and condition of those detained were not immediately clear.
The group condemned what it described as a deliberate attack on unarmed civilians and held the Sudanese army responsible for alleged violations committed by forces operating under its authority.
It said the killing of civilians outside active hostilities constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law and could amount to war crimes.
Emergency Lawyers called for an independent and transparent investigation into the incident, the identification and prosecution of those responsible, and the immediate release of all detained civilians.
The group also demanded guarantees that detainees are protected from torture, cruel treatment or other forms of abuse.
The Sudanese army has not publicly responded to the allegations.
