At least 120 civilians were killed in indiscriminate shelling in Omdurman’s Dar-Salam area on Monday. The Ombada Emergency Response Room confirmed the provisional death toll, warning that the number of victims is likely to increase as rescuers continue their work amidst harrowing conditions.
This latest atrocity has further strained the already overwhelmed healthcare system. Health workers face severe shortages of medical supplies, leaving many of the injured without adequate treatment. Bombardments have made it perilous for volunteers and emergency teams to access some affected areas, compounding the humanitarian crisis.
Sudan’s civil war, which erupted 21 months ago, has plunged the nation into a devastating humanitarian catastrophe. Tens of thousands have been killed, over 12 million displaced, and famine looms, according to the United Nations. The conflict began when tensions between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) boiled over, both factions vying for control of the country’s future.
While most of Omdurman remains under army control, the RSF dominates Khartoum and its surroundings. The army has intensified operations in Omdurman over recent weeks, reportedly reclaiming three key areas and seizing paramilitary weapons. Meanwhile, RSF fighters are attempting to hold their positions in two neighborhoods, leading to fierce skirmishes and increased shelling.
Residents living near the Nile, on both sides, report frequent bombings that devastate homes and claim civilian lives. “The area has been devastated by prolonged fighting, exposing residents to stray bullets and shrapnel,” said the Ombada Emergency Response Room.
Both factions have faced allegations of targeting civilians and healthcare workers, as well as indiscriminately attacking residential areas. The ongoing violence has forced the closure of several health centers, leaving thousands without access to crucial medical services.
With no end to the conflict in sight, humanitarian organizations urge immediate action to protect civilians and deliver life-saving aid. Meanwhile, local volunteers continue their perilous mission, providing a lifeline to those caught in the crossfire of Sudan’s protracted war.
