Emergency Lawyers Group: Sudan SAF War Crimes Accusations in North Kordofan

• The Emergency Lawyers Group accused the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) of killing at least five civilians and wounding over ten others in North Kordofan on Wednesday.
• The group stated the SAF targeted unarmed civilians in farming areas northeast of Jabra El Sheikh, with no reported clashes at the time.
• Simultaneously, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) drones struck targets across River Nile, Khartoum, and North Kordofan states at dawn on Wednesday.
• An RSF drone attack in El Obeid, North Kordofan, killed a woman and a man and wounded several others.
• The Emergency Lawyers Group condemned the alleged SAF attack, warning it violates international humanitarian law and could constitute war crimes, calling for an independent investigation and accountability.

The Emergency Lawyers Group Sudan brought forth severe Sudan SAF war crimes accusations, alleging that the Sudanese Armed Forces were responsible for the killing of at least five civilians and the wounding of more than ten others in North Kordofan.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan continues to exact a heavy toll on the civilian population, with recent reports highlighting a disturbing pattern of attacks by both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). These incidents underscore a growing threat to non-combatants, extending beyond the immediate front lines of engagement. The latest developments, reported on Wednesday, include serious allegations against the SAF concerning civilian fatalities and injuries in North Kordofan, alongside widespread drone activity by the RSF impacting multiple states.

This escalation of violence against civilians raises significant concerns regarding adherence to international humanitarian law and the protection of human lives amidst the protracted conflict. Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor these accusations of war crimes and international humanitarian law violations in Sudan, as they signal potential future international investigations and accountability processes, impacting clients with operations or interests in the region and raising human rights due diligence concerns.

On Wednesday, the Emergency Lawyers Group Sudan brought forth severe Sudan SAF war crimes accusations, alleging that the Sudanese Armed Forces were responsible for the killing of at least five civilians and the wounding of more than ten others in North Kordofan. The victims of this alleged assault, which included women and children, were reportedly targeted in areas northeast of Jabra El Sheikh. According to the group, an armed army vehicle departed from Jabra El Sheikh, proceeding to farming and grazing grounds where it specifically targeted unarmed civilians, including farmers and shepherds, within their homes and workplaces.

Crucially, the Emergency Lawyers Group stated that no battles or clashes were reported in the vicinity at the time of the incident, suggesting a deliberate targeting of non-combatants. Among those confirmed dead were Sheikh Awadallah Abdullah, his son, and another civilian, with additional fatalities reported in separate locations. Furthermore, soldiers are said to have detained several civilians before returning to Jabra El Sheikh. Radio Dabanga indicated it was unable to secure immediate comment from the Sudanese army regarding these grave allegations. These North Kordofan civilian killings are a stark reminder of the urgent need for Sudan conflict civilian protection.

Concurrently, the Rapid Support Forces launched a series of drone attacks across three Sudanese states at dawn on Wednesday, further contributing to civilian casualties and widespread alarm. Residents in River Nile, Khartoum, and North Kordofan states reported intense drone activity and subsequent explosions. In River Nile State, sources informed Radio Dabanga that RSF drones targeted locations near Ed Damer and Atbara, though no immediate casualties were reported from these specific strikes.

Meanwhile, in Khartoum, witnesses observed drones overhead and heard explosions in Omdurman and Bahri. Field sources indicated that SAF air defenses actively engaged drones attempting to strike targets in Omdurman, with the drones reportedly approaching from the southeastern part of Khartoum State. The most direct impact of these RSF drone strikes civilian casualties Sudan was felt in El Obeid, North Kordofan, where a drone attack tragically resulted in the deaths of a woman and a man, and left several others wounded. Local sources confirmed these fatalities and injuries, noting that SAF air defenses from the Fifth Infantry Division responded to the attack, and the wounded were transported to hospitals. The SAF did not immediately provide comment on these reported drone attacks.

The Emergency Lawyers Group Sudan has vehemently condemned the alleged SAF attack in North Kordofan, issuing a stern warning that the deliberate targeting of civilians outside the context of active hostilities constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law. Such actions, the group emphasized, could amount to war crimes. In response to these grave Sudan international humanitarian law violations, the group has called for a comprehensive and independent investigation into the incident.

They have also demanded the immediate release of all detained civilians and stressed the imperative for accountability for those responsible for these alleged atrocities. The ongoing pattern of civilian harm from both sides underscores the critical need for robust mechanisms to ensure Sudan conflict civilian protection and to hold perpetrators accountable, reinforcing the urgency of addressing accountability for Sudan war crimes.

Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor these accusations of war crimes and international humanitarian law violations in Sudan, as they signal potential future international investigations and accountability processes, impacting clients with operations or interests in the region and raising human rights due diligence concerns.

Source: Original reporting via Radio Dabanga and the Emergency Lawyers Group.