At least 23 individuals lost their lives, and 40 more sustained injuries in an airstrike conducted by the Sudanese army targeting civilian areas in southern Khartoum on Saturday, according to reports from activists.
This assault occurs amidst an escalation of military actions by the army against positions held by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group.
The airstrikes specifically hit the Southern Belt region, impacting a crowded marketplace and nearby residential buildings.
Casualties included tea vendors, shoppers, and residents of adjacent apartments.
“The bombardment resulted in extensive destruction, severely affecting numerous high-rise buildings in the central market area,” stated Mohamed Kandisha, a spokesperson for the Southern Belt Emergency Room.
He noted that hospitals were overwhelmed by the influx of injured civilians.
The Southern Belt, which encompasses several neighborhoods such as Al-Ingaz, Al-Salama, and Al-Azhari, has seen ongoing clashes between the army and the RSF since the outbreak of conflict in April.
The area frequently endures artillery shelling and aerial attacks, leading to significant civilian casualties.
This recent strike is part of a larger offensive initiated by the army on September 26 to regain territories controlled by the RSF.
However, the army’s increased reliance on airpower has faced condemnation from human rights organizations, which accuse them of indiscriminate bombings that jeopardize civilian lives.
The protracted conflict in Sudan has resulted in a humanitarian crisis characterized by widespread displacement and shortages of vital supplies.
The international community has urged both parties to safeguard civilians and permit access to humanitarian assistance.