Hostilities have intensified between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and two armed groups: the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, which has been fighting for control of the military government since April 2023, and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North.
During the weekend, targeted drone attacks a UN base killing six peacekeepers from the UNIFSA mission, while six others were killed in an attack on a hospital in South Kordofan state, according to initial reports from the UN human rights office (OHCHR).
In the meantime, OCHA said artillery shelling was reported on Monday, posing new threats to civilians.
“I urge all parties to the conflict and influential States to ensure an immediate ceasefire and prevent atrocities.,” said UN human rights chief Volker Türk in a statement.
Mr Türk also warned that medical facilities are protected by international humanitarian law.
New move
The United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that more than 1,700 people were displaced between Thursday and Saturday from several towns in Southern Kordofan.
Meanwhile, in North Darfur State, displacement continues to increase from the besieged El Fasher region to Tawila, where the UN is providing emergency assistance.
More than 25,000 people in Twila have been registered since the end of October, having fled through unsafe routes where they face extreme danger.
Despite severe access and logistical constraints, the World Food Program (PAM) reached around half a million people in Tawila in November and has steadily reached around 2 million people each month in the Darfur region.
Attacks on peacekeepers
Providing an update at Tuesday’s midday briefing in New York, UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said injured peacekeepers who underwent life-saving surgery in Kadugli, Sudan, were evacuated Tuesday morning to the headquarters of the UN mission in the disputed Abyei region.
Other injured personnel were also evacuated thereand four of them have since been sent to Nairobi, Kenya, for further medical treatment.
The remains of the six fallen soldiers have been transported to Entebbe, Uganda, and arrangements are being made for their repatriation to Bangladesh.
Mr. Haq stressed that “attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law and call for accountability.”
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
