Sudan Air Force Bombings Claim 1,700 Lives, Mostly Civilians

Sudan Air Force Bombings Kill Hundreds, Report Says At least 1,700 civilians have been killed in Sudan's civil war, with the majority of deaths attributed to air force bombings of residential neighborhoods, markets, schools, and camps for displaced people, according to an investigation by the Sudan Witness Project. The report, released on Wednesday, highlights the devastating impact of unguided bombs used by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in populated areas. The attacks, which began in April 2023, have forced millions to flee the fighting. The Sudan Witness Project's analysis focuses on attacks by warplanes, which are the only aircraft capable of operating in the conflict. The rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launches drone strikes, but these were excluded from the research. The RSF has been internationally condemned for allegedly carrying out ethnic massacres in Sudan's western Darfur region, triggering charges of genocide by the United States. The immediate impact of the bombings has been catastrophic, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble and families left without access to basic necessities. The international community has called for an immediate ceasefire, with the United Nations and other aid organizations urging both sides to respect humanitarian law. The conflict in Sudan has its roots in a long-standing power struggle between the SAF and the RSF. The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has been accused of human rights abuses and war crimes, while the SAF, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has been criticized for its handling of the crisis. As the situation continues to deteriorate, the international community is bracing for a potential humanitarian disaster. The United Nations has warned of a looming famine, with millions at risk of starvation. The African Union and other regional organizations are working to broker a peace deal, but progress has been slow. The Sudan Witness Project's report is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of war and the need for accountability. As the world watches, the people of Sudan are left to pick up the pieces and wonder when the violence will end.