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In Six Months... UN documents the killing of thousands of Sudanese civilians

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The United Nations announced today that 3,384 civilians were killed in Sudan during the first half of this year, as a result of fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement: "The conflict-related crisis in Sudan worsened during the first half of this year, leading to a significant increase in the number of civilian deaths."

It added: "During this period, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights documented the killing of at least 3,384 civilians in the context of the conflict, most of them in Darfur, followed by Kordofan, and then Khartoum."

It noted that "this figure represents approximately 80% of the total 4,238 civilian casualties documented during the entire year of 2024, and the actual number is likely to be much higher."

It also noted that "70% of the deaths occurred during hostilities (between the army and the Rapid Support Forces), as the parties to the conflict continued to launch attacks in densely populated areas using artillery shelling, airstrikes, and drones."

The commission noted the "unlawful killing of approximately 990 civilians outside the context of hostilities, including through summary executions."

It warned of "continued attacks on civilian objects and infrastructure, including health facilities, markets, energy networks, water sources, and humanitarian aid convoys."

It continued: "At least 30 humanitarian and health workers were killed (during the same period), including those who were directly targeted."

Since mid-April 2023, the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces have been waging a war that has resulted in the deaths of more than 20,000 people and the displacement and displacement of approximately 15 million, according to the United Nations and local authorities. A study by American universities estimated the death toll at approximately 130,000.